for Bb Bass Clarinet, Timpani, Percussion, and Piano
Instrumentation:
- Bb Bass Clarinet
- Timpani (also plays C Crotale on Timpani head and plays bowl of Timpani)
- Percussion (Bass Drum, Three Assorted Cymbals, Glockenspiel, Two Concert Toms, Tubular Bells)
- Piano (doubles Celesta, optional but preferred)
Program Notes:
Three Night Scenes is a piece for mixed ensemble that explores various ideas or “scenes” one may see at night or may think of when they think of what goes on in the dark of night. The first movement is titled “Creatures of the Night” and uses various odd percussion techniques to convey these odd creatures. The second movement, titled “Desolate Streets” tries to showcase the lonesome streets of the night by using longer linear passages of music, mixed in with somewhat rhythmic backing back the more blunt percussion of Toms and Timpani. Finally, the last movement, “A Lone Figure Wanders” conveys an unknown figure wandering about the night by using the Bass Clarinet as the figure, singing a sort of plaintive minor song, with an insistent pulse from the Timpani, with hints of dissonant church bells by the Tubular Bells and Piano. All of these movements together create a suite of odd, and somewhat creepy music, that is cinematic in nature and sure to keep the audience at the edge of their seat.
Full Set of (4) Player Scores Available Directly from the Composer.