for clarinet, violin, and piano
| Skeletons from the
Tune Closet for clarinet, violin, and piano |
| Skeletons from the Tune Closet takes up where Beethoven's Trio, Op. 11 leaves off. It is a set of variations on "Pria ch'io l'impegno." This tune is from an opera called L'Amor marinaroby the Austrian composer, Joseph Weigl (17661846). Produced in 1797, the opera was probably current at the time Beethoven composed his Trio. My variations begin with a rather spooky restatement of the theme (listen here) which is followed by a few variations that manage to trash composers from all over the map. These include Stravinsky, Brahms, Messiaen, Ives, Ellington, various pop tunes and styles, and of course Beethoven himself. Each section of the piece has a title, as follows. |
| Tema: "Pria
ch'io l'impegno'" Fantasy Var. I: Frankenstein's Assistant Dances Var. II: Clash of the Titans Var. III: Some Skeletons Coda:The Secret Life of Ludwig Van |
[QuickTime Clip] |
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Variation I combines the famous pulsating rhythm from The Rite of Spring with a blues version of the tune. Variation II pits the Brahms Trio Op. 114 against the Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time. Variation III is an Ivesian mix of American tunes, including Columbia, Gem of the Ocean, "When the Saint Go Marching In," and "You Are My Sunshine." The Coda begins as a reprise of the coda from Beethoven's trio, but quickly heads off into a big-band swing number that is perhaps a pale imitation of Duke Ellington. This piece is similar to my composition for string quartet, Hasty Variations, in that it takes a simple tune into regions previously unknown, hopefully along with a smile. |
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