Circus Acts

1. The Ringmaster
A fanfare and processional followed by an affectionate theme which refers to the pride the ringmaster has in his troupe. Some personalities appear to slightly disrupt, but the theme returns to bring calm before the swift exit.
2. Sad Clown
We are introduced to the clown first applying his familiar make up then a dreamy theme of unrequited love for the girl on the tight rope, daughter of the Ringmaster. Some annoyance and frustration at his lot in life followed by the familiar theme sounded deeper in his heart, perhaps a glimmer of hope, but then just quiet resignation.
3. The Flying Trapeze
The climax of the performance with the boys and girls of the flying trapeze. The object of the clown’s desire, the girl on the high wire, interweaving, dancing, leaping with gasps of wonder from the crowd. Does she notice the clown at one point, gazing at her with adoring eyes? – Alas, the show must go on to its crowd pleasing finale.

Shambloid Shuffle

This humorous pastiche was originally written as a light-hearted item for a graduation concert in 1968. It has subsequently been developed into a straightforward tribute to the great ragtime composer Scott Joplin, and employs the rhythmic, melodic and structural style of his music.
Clarinet 1 is the most technically demanding line and the other three parts are slightly simpler and equal in their difficulty.

Quartet for 3 Clarinets and Bass Clarinet

The Essex County Standard wrote that this piece ‘inhabits a neo-Bergian world in its use of serialism whilst being full of lyricism and rhythmic drive. The writing shows thorough knowledge of clarinet technique and presents equal challenges for all four players. One looks forward to hearing more from this young composer.’
Written while the composer was an undergraduate, the lyricism and rhythmic drive mentioned above are very evident in the bodywork and styling of the piece and the serial nuts and bolts, whilst at times giving an F1 turbo-charge, stay very much under the bonnet.
Although continuous the piece is divided into four sections: 1. Slow Introduction / Allegro molto, 2. Slow movement, 3. Scherzo, 4. an Allegro recapitulation.

Ihr Hirten Erwacht

This charming little carol was discovered by Tony in a collection of traditional German Christmas music some time ago and he has arranged it for a variety of vocal and instrumental combinations for his students. This version was originally for woodwind quartet and makes roughly equal technical demands on all four players with lead roles being spread democratically amongst the four parts.

Nut Tree

Nut Tree is based on the children’s rhyme I Had a Little Nut Tree and is essentially the traditional nursery rhyme arranged for grown-ups. It is in a slow relaxed swing style. The Bb Clarinet takes much of the lead with the main melodic material and the Bass Clarinet has a written solo section.
Alternative parts are provided to enable Bb Clarinets to be used in lieu of the Eb and Alto Clarinets.

Ding Dong!

Ding Dong! is a driving blues based on the children’s rhyme Ding Dong Bell and is essentially the traditional nursery rhyme arranged for grown-ups. The Bb Clarinet takes a solo for two choruses which can be improvised or, alternatively, a written solo is provided as a guide.
Alternative parts are provided to enable Bb Clarinets to be used in lieu of the Eb and Alto Clarinets.

Market Day

Adrian Budgen-----------------------------------------3 mins

The inspiration for this piece is a bustling market scene which could be the title sequence of a movie.  Market Day can be thought of as the underscoring for that sequence.  The movie is unmade, but the music conjures up the organised chaos of a market day in a rustic idyll with children chasing the pigs and the geese around the feet of the people buying and selling.  A rotund stall holder appears in one shot, this cuts to a more tranquil corner of the market where two young people are flirting and elsewhere two old folk pass the time of day.  The music ends at the point where the principal characters are about to make their entrance.
A Bb Clarinet can be used in lieu of the Eb Clarinet.

Wachet Auf