excerpt :

"Invocations" concerto for bass clarinet & chamber orchestra (236K)

1st. movement.

performed by:

Nigel Westlake - bass clarinet

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

conducted by : David Porcelijn

(1997 : Highly commended - Paul Lowin Orchestral Award)

about "Invocations"...........

"Invocations" is in four movements. following an overall pattern of slow, fast, slow, fast. The construction is deliberately sparse, emphasising instrumental colour & intimate interplay between soloist & orchestra. This gives the work chamber-like qualities & a delicately poised sound world, even when the music is at its most energetic.

Nowhere is this more apparent than the first movement. It begins with unisons - piano doubling the bass clarinet, joined by marimba, solo violin & harp, then by the lower strings. Their colours exposed by the absence of a traditional bass line or accompanying chords, these instruments stake out the openeing theme. Later, sinuous string melodies, hovering around just a few notes, provide contrast.

The agitated second movement develops more complex textures as the bass clarinet & solo violin engage in a dialogue. And there is a spirit of adventure in the bass clarinet's special technical effects as the soloist plays with harmonics, multiphonics, flutter tonguing & swooping glissandi above a relentless accompaniment from the strings & snare drum. The third movement begins with the bass clarinet alone- here cast in a meditative & introspective role. Important harp & piano parts provide a bell-like accompaniment, overwhich we hear the moodily expressive melodies of the solo part. Effective use is made, too, of sustained strings chords played without vibrato.

From its intial flourish the final movement is a whirlwindwind of changing metres & displaced accents. Without being disoriented we are led on a sprightly & rhythmic dance where certain beats just happen to go missing occaisionally! This movement brings together elements from the preceding movements: the unison colours of the first movement: the meditative qualities of a lyrical theme suspended above sustained chords: & the extended techniques of the bass clarinet, including an impressive harmonic glissandi that leads to the final climax & a magnificent close.

Programme note by Yvonne Frindle.