For Isa
Clarisa De la Garza
Instrumentation: Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet 1-4, Bass Clarinet 1-2, Contrabass Clarinet, Narration in Finnish (recording provided)
Duration: approx. 11:00
Difficulty: Advanced
From the program notes:
"Isa Asp (1853-1872) is recognized as Finland's first female poet. Though her life and career were cut tragically short at only nineteen years of age due to illness, through her writings her legacy lives on. Asp's works often reflect her profound love for her country and its people, admiration for life and its joys from a religious perspective, and her internal struggles with identity, morality, and the restrictions imposed by society...
As I worked on this project, I found myself deeply empathizing with Isa’s struggles, especially in her desire to be freely expressive in a world that can, at times, be limiting.
This piece was commissioned by Dr. Nicholas Councilor and the University of Texas at San Antonio Clarinet Choir for their performance at the International Clarinet Association's ClarinetFest in 2025. ICA's mission statement for this event surrounds 'Transcending traditions,' reflecting a wider view of the clarinet’s journey within our connected world and allowing our community to discover new avenues of expression. It's my hope to also foster connections with audiences through this story, and of course, celebrate the diversity of the clarinet ensemble as a unique and compelling medium along the way."
Expanded program notes with text translations included in the full score.