Quartet (2020)
(for clarinet, violin, viola and violoncello)

The Clarinet Quartet was commissioned by “Intonations festival” in Berlin and by the JCMF in Jerusalem.

I always liked the clarinet on its various and different registers and huge range. It is a perfect choice for a combination with any string instrument. It blends when necessary and shines when wished for, so I was happy for the chance given to me to create the quartet. Why a quartet and not a quintet like the great composers? Honestly since I love so much Mozart’s and Brahms’s quintets that it was easier for me to create for a slightly different ensemble.

The quartet has 3 movements, fast, slow and fast and a prologue for solo clarinet which begins the piece. The music of all parts has Jewish and middle-eastern musical influences.

The prologue for solo clarinet contains some of the motifs that appear in the first and last movements. It reflects emotional uncertainty.

The first movement has a feeling of a chase. It is restless and looking towards something which is not found.

The second movement is based on a Jewish Kaddish prayer. It is titled “In Memoriam” and dedicated to my late husband, composer Noam Sheriff.

The third movement starts decisive and develops some jazz elements. It reminds of the restless character of the first movement but in a more playful way. Towards the end comes again the solo clarinet as a reminder of the beginning and it ends with a strong unisono of all instruments.

Ella Milch-Sheriff, January 2020