Epicycles of the Planets for clarinet quartet

$10.00

Epicycles are ancient mathematical constructs that used numbers to explain geometry, musical harmonies and planetary motions. This quartet depicts the planets in a series of short musical vignettes based on varying cycles and musical styles. Mysterious Saturn is modern, tonal and pleasantly dissonant. Majestic Jupiter and its stately moons have a Renaissance feeling. Enigmatic Mars, based on serial 12-tone rows, is atonal but surprisingly consonant. Shining together in the twilight, brilliant Mercury and beautiful Venus are portrayed by a Romantic motif from Zdenek Fibich “Twilight Idyll” Op 39. The quartet parts are not technically difficult. With exception of a two brief excursions for first clarinet up to high F, there are no notes above “high C”.

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Performed by Carolina Clarinet Quartet

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Description

Specifications

Title:
Epicycles of the Planets
Composer:
Brent Smith
Tempo/Style:
Adagio, Moderato
Length:
5 minutes to 6 minutes
Parts:
4 parts
Difficulty:
Intermediate to Moderate
Instruments:
4 Bb or A Clarinets

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