"Curtailment" for solo clarinet, by William Kenlon
Channel: William Kenlon
Date: 27/08/2021

"Curtailment," Op. 83 by William Kenlon.

"Curtailment" is a short character piece that primarily explores a gradual tightening or compression. The opening interval of a perfect fourth is diminished gradually to major and minor thirds while, simultaneously, the rhythms associated with cascading descending two-note figures are shortened. A rhapsodic opening transitions into a brisker section that further narrows the intervallic content to concentrate on seconds (and inversions thereof) within a compressing/de-compressing series of meters. Concluding a terse ternary form, the tempo relaxes and melodic space opens back up to fourths and fifths for a brief summation of the proceedings. In terms of technical demands, the piece eschews consciously extravagant displays of virtuosity, but demands nuanced articulation and great dynamic control.

This work was commissioned by Ryan Espinosa, who premiered it in Los Angeles on May 25, 2021.

For more info or to purchase a score: http://www.williamkenlon.com/