Elisenda Fábregas

Masks for clarinet, cello & piano (edition 2019/21)

Year: 2019/21

Duration (in minutes): 9´

Difficulty: High (professional)

Category: small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players

Instruments: other

Publisher: Hidden Oaks Music Co.

Publisher website: http://elisendafabregas.com

Video Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdMumrjPAPQ

Purchase score URL: https://elisendafabregas.com/product/masks-for-clarinet-cello-piano/

Description: Masks for clarinet, cello and piano (2019) was commissioned by the IonSound Project Ensemble for their 2019 concert season and CD recording project. I was asked to write a relatively short composition inspired by certain aspects of the Beethoven’s Clarinet Trio. The title Masks suggests various layers of meaning in the music: I used motivic development procedures from the Classical period on rhythmic and/or melodic motives taken from or inspired by Beethoven’s Clarinet Trio, but I dressed the new melodies with harmonies and rhythms reminiscent of Spain’s music. This is a new version (2021) of Masks and looking in hindsight this work and title it kind of anticipated the covid-19 pandemia and the use of surgical masks. The original version of Masks was finished at the end of September 2019. Movement I – Incantation and consummation – In the first movement of Masks, I start the first and second themes with the half-step beginning melodic motive of the first theme of Beethoven’s first movement, as well as tree-note ascending design. The motivic connection with Beethoven is very subtle in the first movement. Movement II. Mischievous spirits – In the second movement of Masks, I took almost the entire rhythmic motive of the beginning theme of Beethoven’s 3rd movement. In addition, I varied the theme, although not in strict Variations like in the Beethoven. The spirit of the 2nd movement of Masks is also light and playful, just like the Beethoven. Duration : 9’