Three Cinematic Sketches

Description

About two years ago I was asked if I could write a companion piece to the Poulenc Trio for a group of concerts to be given by the Opera North Trio. Given the short notice (a matter of weeks!) I decided to take these three dance movements (two from my sonata for bass clarinet and piano, and one from my sonata for viola and piano) and arrange them for oboe, bassoon and piano. (With the Meltemi Ensemble in mind I also made a version with flute as an alternative to oboe.) Each dance is a sketch portraying a different ‘Movie’ genre; The black and white comedy of the silent era in the Foxtrot. Memories of Charlie Chaplain and Buster Keaton. The darkness of ‘Film Noir’ in the seductive Tango. (Humphry Bogart and Lauren Bacall). Finally, a lavish set; put on your top hat and tails, your beautiful dress, and dance before a huge studio orchestra!