Fuga I, Op.16 for clarinet quartet

Clara Schumann was an internationally famous concert pianist of the mid 1800’s. She also composed many pieces that are rarely performed because they are overshadowed by her fame as a pianist and by the compositions of her husband, Robert Schumann. This three-part fugue is arranged for 4 clarinets, giving the players adequate opportunities to breathe. Technically, it requires playing simple scales of 16th notes. The tempo can be adjusted to the players’ abilities, working well from 72-100. Each statement of the fugue subject is marked in the parts to help the players avoid getting lost.

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