Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Level 2 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891905

Composed by Stephen Davies. Contemporary. 39 pages. Stephen Davies #3471399. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891905).

As the title suggests, this suite of 7 short pieces is based on various simple scales, arpeggios and articulation, yuk! the things that usually turns people off! This suite is written with that in mind, and each of the 7 pieces are varied in styles, and are fun to play, there's even a little screaming involved too! It works well with more than 1 player per part. Really for the education of young players from 8-99!

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891835

Composed by Alfredo d'Ambrosio. Arranged by Stephen Davies. 20th Century. 15 pages. Stephen Davies #3465460. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891835).

In my quest to bring old forgotten music back to life, I happened upon this quirky little piece by Alfredo D'Ambrosio, who was apparently mildly popular back in his day,and it's a little piece of pure Victorian whimsy! Originally called 'En Badinant' it roughly translates to A Musical Jest, which it certainly is!! It cunjures up concerts on the Bandstand from long ago, and has special instructions at the end! If your feet are not tapping by bar 13, then you need to turn it up a lot!! A pleasant and entertaining little programme filler for sure!! (Sax and Woodwind Quartets available here too))

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Arranged by Stephen Davies. Baroque Period, Recital. Score, Set of Parts. 23 pages. Published by Stephen Davies (S0.330216). - Score,Set of Parts - Baroque Period,Recital - Stephen Davies

Composed by Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707). Arranged by Stephen Davies. Recital. Score, Set of Parts. 29 pages. Published by Stephen Davies (S0.330162). - Score,Set of Parts - Recital - Stephen Davies

Clarinet, Woodwind Choir or Ensemble, Clarinet Quartet, Bass Clarinet - Advanced Intermediate - Digital Download By The Beatles. Arranged by Stephen Rockey. Score, Set of Parts. 20 pages. Published by Stephen Rockey

Bass Clarinet - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1069920

Composed by Felix Alexandre Guilmant. Arranged by Stephen Davies. 20th Century,Concert,Romantic Period,Standards. Full Performance. Duration 858. Stephen Davies #5755547. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.1069920).

SWEET SUITE: QUARTET FOR CLARINETS

Featuring the music of ALEXANDRE GUILMANT

In this delightful suite of 4 movements, I have chosen four very eclectic works by the French Organist and Composer Alexandre Guilmant. In his time (1837-1911) he helped found the Schola Cantorum of Paris, and served as Professor of Organ at the Paris Conservatoire from 1896 until his death. His Wiki entry is an interesting read!! Oh, and don't be fooled by the gentle lilt of the first movement!

1. CHANT DU MATIN

This jolly piece has a very memorable theme, with an almost Music Hall 'middle eight' section, littered with grace notes, and ends with a big 'film' finish!

2. FUGUE GRAVE

Blessed with beautifully lush harmonies, and with the unusual theme based on the diminished 7th, it quite literally makes the Clarinet Quartet sing.

3. ASPIRATION RELIGIEUSE

Despite the religious connotations in the title, this is an almighty vehicle for the Bass Clarinet to shine!

The 3 Bb Clarinets hold a singularly static but lovely theme above, as the Bass Clarinet tumbles over the chords with relish from start to finish. A must play for your Bass player!

4. FUGHETTA IN A MINOR

This is just a fantastic musical romp for 4 accomplished players! Once one player has the jaunty melody line, everyone wants to be a part of it! ... also includes some well written 'quirky' off-beat rhythms on the Bass part. Good luck!!

COMPOSER Alexandre Guilmant ARRANGERS Stephen Davies INSTRUMENTS 3 Bb Clarinet & Bass Clarinet FORMAT Score, Set of Parts GENRES Impressionistic, Post-Romantic, Repertoire, Recital LEVEL Advanced Intermediate.

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891938

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Stephen Davies. Baroque,Standards. 35 pages. Stephen Davies #5710977. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891938).

In Bach's own words ..... for the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning, and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study....., we are literally invited by the great man himself, to enjoy playing his music in virtually any combination we like!

The Clarinet Quartet is a fitting vehicle for these two pieces from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2, namely the Prelude No.1 and the Fugue No.22.

The Prelude

Completely different from the Prelude that opens Book 1, which is mainly broken chords, this opening Prelude to Book 2 features a continuously flowing sequence of melodic ideas. According to Levinson,  ...few pieces of traditional music are more purely processive as this. It develops without a break or pause, without arrivals of significance, from beginning to end.... Good to play as well!!                                         

The Fugue

The key of Bb Minor is a challenging mode for the Clarinet, coupled with the time signature of 3/2, this Fugue should prove interesting in rehearsal! The four voices are distributed throughout the parts, and at 101 bars, it is certainly one of Bach's longest, and definitely one of the most enjoyable to play, especially in a generous acoustic.

Also available here in Wind Quartet and Saxophone Quartet flavours!!

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891916

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Stephen Davies. Baroque. 47 pages. Stephen Davies #3480163. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891916).

The final composition of J.S.Bach is surprisingly triumphant, despite his demise just after bar 239. It's also a matter of scholarly conjecture that Bach wrote 'The Art of Fugue' for the keyboard, as some will argue that certain Contrapunctii (?!) are almost impossible to play, bearing in mind that the sustain pedal had yet to be invented. And thus, the most credible path would be that Bach wrote them as A) Academic exercises for study or B) To be played by a suitable ensemble. I'm going with the latter obviously!

I include Donald Tovey's conclusion to the work, its brilliance is noted the world over, but surely not what Bach intended, but damn close!

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891920

Composed by Edouard de Hartog. Arranged by Stephen Davies. Romantic Period. 51 pages. Stephen Davies #3531343. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891920).

Hartog was a Dutch composer who eventually settled in Paris, though mainly forgotten now, he wrote a tremendous amount of music that was popular in his day, ranging from Opera, Chorus, Violin, Cello and Organ amongst others. This particular arrangement is the 1st movement of a String Quartet Op.35, its busy and strident and each player must be on their game! So rather than catagorise 1st/2nd & 3rd as they are practically all equal, I've called the first 3 parts X, M, W ! Why not?! And with 33 key changes it should keep you busy!!

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891838

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Stephen Davies. Baroque. 17 pages. Stephen Davies #3465464. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891838).

Give your Bass Clarinet player a frightening work-out with this busy and dramatic quartet, taken from Bach's The Musical Offering this rarely heard final Allegro really is rather exciting!! It's a real 'Bach Bluster!!'.

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891951

Composed by Sigfrid Karg-Elert. Arranged by Stephen Davies. 20th Century,Standards. 89 pages. Stephen Davies #6017793. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891951).

Known to Organists the world over, Sigfrid Karg-Elerts' music is rich and progressive in harmony and texture, but never dissonant and certainly melodic. This work, scored for Eb/4Bb's/Alto/Bass/Contra-Bass Clarinets is largely based on Karg-Elerts' mighty 'Chaconne & Fugue Trilogy', and is intended to challenge the advanced and professional player.

Incidentally, Karg-Elert also wrote 30 Caprices for Flute & a Sonata for Clarinet. 

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891948

Composed by Henry Litolff. Arranged by Stephen Davies. 20th Century,Standards. 42 pages. Stephen Davies #5792211. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891948).

Known mainly these day for the wonderful 'Scherzo' from his Symphony No.4 in D Minor, during a colourful lifetime, Henry Litolff wrote many virtuosic compositions, indeed he was feted by many of his contemporary peers. Liszt himself in fact dedicated his first piano concerto to Litolff.

Les Octaves is a bravura work typical of Litolff's style, this arrangement brings many technical challenges for the five players to 'get their teeth into', not least of course that it is scored for Eb, Bb, A, Basset Horn & Bass Clarinets!!

 Uncompromising from the start, well actually when I come to think about it, it does not let up until the final pause! Good luck!

Stephen Davies

June 2020

Small Ensemble - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891930

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Arranged by Stephen Davies. Classical,Standards. Score and parts. 27 pages. Stephen Davies #4321519. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891930).

Its not often that a piano duet is played on four Clarinets! However, here it is! It’s by far and away a most complicated work and even in the original piano duet version you sometimes have to remind yourself that this was written well over 230 years ago by Mozart! For those groups willing to brave the perils within, enjoy bar 45!

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891910

Composed by Eugene Gigout. Arranged by Stephen Davies. 20th Century. 18 pages. Stephen Davies #3475055. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891910).

This unusual piece by Eugene Gigout is simplistic and complex, plain and colourful, in other words as we say in the Uk '... its bit like Marmite!' ie. you either like it or you don't! Fugal in style and very melodic with a modern feel harmonically. And I like Marmite!!

Gigout was born in Nancy in France and became a pupil Saint-Saens. He mainly wrote for the Organ, his Toccata is still played today and very popular as an encore piece. He was also Organist at the St Augustin Church in Paris for 62 years!

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Clarinet - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891854

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Stephen Davies. Baroque,Standards. 19 pages. Stephen Davies #3465666. Published by Stephen Davies (A0.891854).

Many scholarly, and some frankly impenetrable, analyses have been written on the subject of Contrapunctus 7, all available on the internet somewhere (mainly if you can't sleep!). So I would simply say that the motif throughout is stretched, further elongated, scrunched up, placed on different beats, played upsidedown, sideways, shortened, further shortened, over the bar, under the bar, off to the bar(!), and so on, it shouldn't work!! But of course it really does, really! I've known this piece for many years, but it was not until I began unravelling it for this Clarinet version that I must again doff my cap to old J.S. and his enduring genius!