Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Bass Clarinet - Level 5 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.581937
Composed by John Gibson. Contemporary. 17 pages. JB Linear #3459833. Published by JB Linear (A0.581937).
Extinction Events (4th movement - Yaguaretê* Surprise) by John Gibson was written as a submission to the International Clarinet Association's 2018 Composition Competition. Written for 3 Bb clarinets and 1 bass clarinet, it is a four movement work for very advanced players. This is the fourth movement only...the others may be purchased separately: Buzzy Delights, It Isn't Easy Being a Cuckoo, and Walrus Jump. The entire set of 4 movements may also be purchased. Simply type extinction events Gibson in the search bar at the top. *(Yaguartë = Argentine Jaguar)
Each movement imagines a different animal or insect living in its habitat as it gradually deteriorates. One might think this would be sad, violent music, but each earthly creature is shown in its musical habitat where it happily does what it does best....bees buzzing around flowers, cuckoos gently calling in the forest, Walruses jumping not so gracefully onto sea ice, Jaguars quietly stalking their prey. The habitat changes are depicted by gradual use of unstable scales, and the sometimes hidden ancient tune of the Dies Irae, the Day of Wrath.
The point I wish to make is how humans must be watchful of wildlife habitats because we are all in this limited world together. Where wild creatures go, so do we. It was best said by Jane Goodall: Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved.
Argentine Jaguars (Yaguareté) are experiencing shrinking habitats due to human population growth and cutting of forests. In this piece I imagined a Jaguar slowly stalking its prey, moving silently on velvet paws. She moves carefully but with barely hidden energy, pausing, then freezing, then suddenly pouncing. Surprise! Sadly, the Dies Irae music plays on.
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