Five Spatial Abstractions

Grade: High Intermediate, High School+

Instrumentation: Bb Clarinet and Piano

Duration: ca. 7:30

Program Notes:

"Five Spatial Abstractions" is a piece written as an exercise in form and harmonic exploration. Throughout the course of five broad sections, thematic material in the clarinet part follows a loose ABCBA form, while the accompaniment is through composed - perhaps, ABCDE form. They shift gradually from consonance to dissonance by the final variation, primarly using intervalic relationships: cluster chords, tritones, second intervals, third intervals, and finally fourth and fifth intervals, with some connective material between sections.

The pitch content is entirely restricted to a single eight-note scale, which is established in the clusters in the first measure of the piece. Despite this restriction, the ever-changing harmonic and rhythmic figures in the accompaniment allow familiar passages in the clarinet to become reimagined in new contexts. Once resolution is about to be achieved by the end of the piece, the final measure reiterates the chords from the opening.

The five sections are characteristically unique and pay homage to some of the various musical styles that have made impressions upon me throughout my musical journey. Because of this there is a little bit of everything: from violent aggression, to light playfulness, to propulsive energy, to quiet thoughtfulness, to dramatic expression, to subdued tension. Players may find this piece to be an exercise in contrasting styles.