Product Description
Clarinet Quartet - 3 x Bb Clarinets and Bass Clarinet (or 4th Bb Clarinet)
The Robert Burns Suite for Clarinet Quartet by Hugh Levey is a four movement work, based on the well-known Burnsâ songs;Â Â
1:Â My Love Sheâs But a Lassie Yet (Lady Badinscothâs Reel)
2:Â Ye Banks and Braes oâ Bonnie Doon (The Caledonian Huntâs Delight)
3:Â The Deilâs Awaâ wiâ the Exciseman
4:Â Auld Lang Syne (for recital or to accompany singing)
The movements can be played separately but are presented here as a suite, with a suggested order. Movement 1 begins with a stately âclassicalâ arrangement of My Love Sheâs But a Lassie Yet, but as it develops the tune combines with another traditional melody, followed by some operatic quotations, and a fugue. It ends with an embellished restatement of the opening.
Movement 2 opens with gentle chords that accompany the simple yet beautiful melody of Ye Banks and Braes. In the middle section, the Bass Clarinet takes the lead with Clarinet 2 playing a counter melody. They are joined by the Clarinet 3 and Clarinet 1 playing the same two musical lines in canon with them. Clarinet 1 resumes the melody in verse 3 with slightly altered chordal accompaniment.
Movement 3 begins with Clarinet 1 and the Bass Clarinet playing the tune and bass line, almost exactly as they appeared in The Scots Musical Museum, published by James Johnson & Co between 1787 and 1803. The other instruments all get the opportunity to play the melodic line in the ensuing 5 verses, as the arrangement gets more complex and fun. The composer makes great use of the tritone; or "devilâs interval" as it is often known because of its unsettling presence. However, in this arrangement it merely adds to the fun and excitement.
Movement 4 is a simple arrangement of Auld Lang Syne, in a key that is suitable to accompany solo or community singing. After a short introduction by Clarinet 3, Clarinet 1 and 2 play verse one accompanied by âbagpipeâ drones from the other two players. The final verse is in majestic four part harmony to bring a rousing end to this popular Burns song and the suite.
Duration: 9â to 10â
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.