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- Arthur Bliss
Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet (1932)
- Novello & Co Ltd (World)
- cl(A).2vn.va.vc
- 26 min
- 26th July 2025, St Francis Xavier's Church, Hereford, United Kingdom
- 11th August 2025, Church of Our Lady South Creake, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Programme Note
Moderato
Allegro molto
Adagietto expressivo
Allegro energico
I wrote my clarinet quintet in 1931, and it had its first play-through at a musical evening in our Hampstead house late that year with Frederick Thurston and the Kutcher String Quartet.
The composition is in four movements, of which the two middle ones carry the most weight. The opening movement is a flow of 'conversation' between the five instruments. The clarinet starts the discussion, shortly afterwards the viola joins in, then the cello, and last of all the two violins add their comments. The music throughout is euphonious and lyrical. The second movement is an extended scherzo, strenuous and dramatic. It follows a fairly traditional sonata form and calls for vital rhythmic playing from all the five instrumentalists.
The third movement is a rhapsodical romance well suited to the expressive melodic power of the clarinet, while the final is all sprightly brilliance with cross rhythms to add to the zest. Towards the end there is a moment of tranquil lyricism, but the peroration soon follows with laughing gaiety.
© Sir Arthur Bliss
Allegro molto
Adagietto expressivo
Allegro energico
I wrote my clarinet quintet in 1931, and it had its first play-through at a musical evening in our Hampstead house late that year with Frederick Thurston and the Kutcher String Quartet.
The composition is in four movements, of which the two middle ones carry the most weight. The opening movement is a flow of 'conversation' between the five instruments. The clarinet starts the discussion, shortly afterwards the viola joins in, then the cello, and last of all the two violins add their comments. The music throughout is euphonious and lyrical. The second movement is an extended scherzo, strenuous and dramatic. It follows a fairly traditional sonata form and calls for vital rhythmic playing from all the five instrumentalists.
The third movement is a rhapsodical romance well suited to the expressive melodic power of the clarinet, while the final is all sprightly brilliance with cross rhythms to add to the zest. Towards the end there is a moment of tranquil lyricism, but the peroration soon follows with laughing gaiety.
© Sir Arthur Bliss
Media
Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, Op. 50: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, Op. 50: I. Moderato
Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, Op. 50: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, Op. 50: II. Allegro molto
Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, Op. 50: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, Op. 50: III. Adagietto espressivo
Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, Op. 50: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, Op. 50: IV. Allegro energico
Discography
British Oboe Quintets
- LabelChandos
- Catalogue NumberCHAN 20226
- EnsembleDoric String Quartet
- SoloistNicholas Daniel, oboe
- Released2021
- LabelTestament
- Catalogue NumberSBT1366
- SoloistFrederick Thurston (clarinet), Griller Quartet
- Released1st April 2005
Frederick Thurston (1901-1953) - Centenary Tribute
- LabelClarinet Classics
- Catalogue NumberCC0037
- EnsembleAeolian String Quartet / Griller String Quartet
- SoloistThea King, clarinet (Jacob); Frederick Thurston (Bliss)
- Released2001
Checkmate Suite etc
- LabelChandos
- Catalogue NumberCHAN 241-1
- ConductorRichard Hickox / Vernon Handley
- EnsembleNorthern Sinfonia / Ulster Orchestra
- SoloistJanet Hilton, clarinet; David Haslam flute; Lindsay String Quartet
- Released1999
Frederick Thurston: Centenary Tribute
- LabelClarinet Classics
- Catalogue NumberCC0037
- SoloistThea King, clarinets / Myers Foggin, piano / Griller String Quartet / Aeolian String Quartet
- LabelNaxos
- Catalogue Number8.557394
- EnsembleMaggini Quartet
- SoloistDavid Campbell (cl)
