Diversions (Spittal)

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Robert Spittal

Robert Spittal


Subtitle: For Solo Clarinet and Wind Ensemble


General Info

Year: 2018
Duration: c. 16:00
Difficulty: VI (solo); IV (ensemble) (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Robert Spittal
Cost: Score and Parts - April 2019


Movements

1. Diversion 1- West Coast Fanfares – 3:45
2. Diversion 2 - The Contrarian's Waltz – 4:12
3. Diversion 3- A Sentimental Chill – 1:47
4. Diversion 4- Pomp and Circus Dance – 1:28
5. Diversion 5- Klezmic – 4:09


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Clarinet
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion (5 players), including:

  • Agogo Bells
  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Claves
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Hi-Hat
  • Marimba
  • Ride Cymbal
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This entertaining and musically diverse divertimento in five movements is designed to feature an artist-level soloist, with a capable university, high school or community band of moderate technical proficiency.

- Program Note from publisher


After a performance of my Prelude and Flight for violin and band, Idaho State University Director of Bands Pat Brooks came to me with an interesting idea communicated to him by ISU clarinet professor Dr. Shandra Helman. The idea was for me to compose a piece for solo clarinet and wind ensemble that would feature a professional-level soloist with almost any high school or university band -- a grade 6 solo with a grade 4 accompaniment, if you will. Thus began the process resulting in Diversions, a divertimento in five movements for clarinet and wind ensemble. In 2017, Dr. Brooks arranged a consortium of twenty music institutions to commission me to complete Diversions. The piece was premiered by Dr. Helman and the Idaho State University Wind Ensemble, with the composer conducting, on February 23, 2018.

Diversion No. 1: West Coast Fanfares features boldly exciting opening and closing themes, juxtaposed with softer, more lyrical musical impressions that reflect my impressions of America’s West Coast.

Diversion No. 2: The Contrarian’s Waltz features two waltz tunes that are highly contrary to one another in style and mood -- one is lyrical and sweetly beautiful, while the other is a satirical parody of a Viennese waltz.

Diversion No. 3: A Sentimental Chill is a rhapsody about the mixed feelings of melancholy we sometimes feel when ruminating on the past.

Diversion No. 4: Pomp and Circus Dance is a clownish dance with humorous intent. The bass clarinet is a specialty of Dr. Helman’s, and this movement is especially effective when performed on that wonderful instrument. However, it may be played effectively on the soprano clarinet, as well.

Diversion No. 5: Klezmic refers to klezmer music and the clarinet’s prominent role in it. Klezmer as a musical tradition dates back to the 19thcentury and the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. This movement brings the divertimento to a joyous and celebratory close.

- program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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