Black Dog
$250Black Dog is a rhapsody for solo clarinet and wind ensemble. The work is inspired by classic hard rock music, particularly Led Zeppelin’s rhapsodic-style song Black Dog. The clarinet solo takes the role of the lead singer in a hard rock band with its extreme range and emotions juxtaposed with the pyrotechnic solos in true “Hendrix” fashion. The rhapsody begins with a long solo cadenza which introduces most of the material in the work. The middle section is a very slow, upward, “Stairway to Heaven” gesture. The last section of Black Dog concludes with a “head-banging” ostinato pattern that leads to the final fiery cadenza.
X Concerto
$250The X Concerto by Scott McAllister is a work in three movements heavily influenced by the grunge music of Nirvana and Alice in Chains. Grunge music, popular in the late 80’s and early to mid 90’s, was typically angst-filled and highlighted themes of confinement with a desire for more freedom. This concerto showcases the entire range of the clarinet, almost mimicking grunge’s desire for freedom. In particular, the slow second movement was inspired by Nirvana’s “Where Did you Sleep Last Night” which itself was inspired by the Appalachian folk song “In the Pines.” Like the grunge style, this work, with its explosive driving sections and contrasting psychedelic passages, represents the energy and emotions of the X generation.
Grunge Concerto
$250Grunge Concerto was written for and dedicated to Nancy Ambrose King, Professor of Oboe at the University of Michigan. This work emulates the emotions of the X generation and the energetic and stagnant aspects of grunge music. The soloist imitates this style with aggressive technical passages along with an unkempt spirit contrasted by psychedelic passages.
Tarkus
Not SoldInspired by English progressive rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer and written for Brent Phillips and the Harrisburg Symphony.
Bling Bling
Not SoldBl ing Bling was commissioned and recorded by Diane Barger for her album Bling Bling. This composition emulates Diane ’ s flashy and blingy talents as a clarinetist as each movement features different techniques that are inspired by popular musical elements.
Four Preludes on Playthings of the Wind
$15Four Preludes on Playthings of the Wind follows Carl Sandburg's poem, utilizing four starkly contrasting preludes to match the text's journey from dismissed arrogance to apocalyptic ruin: o Movement I: Sets an improvisatory and rhythmically loose tone, matching the poem's initial dismissal of history. o Movement II: Fast and highly rhythmic, often requiring a driving, punchy articulation that mimics the chant, "We are the greatest city, the greatest nation..." . o Movement III: Usually highly dissonant and virtuosic, shifting the mood to reflect the destructive "winds" of change and time. o Movement IV: A bleak, atmospheric finale capturing the desolation of a fallen empire. McAllister challenges the performer by demanding expressive, uninhibited control o f the instrument. It relies heavily on glissandi, resonance trills, and pitch bending to achieve a raw, almost human vocalization.
