Commissioned by and dedicated to clarinetist William Helmers, the 16-minute "Sextet for Bass Clarinet and Strings" (2009) is a chamber version of "Concerto for Bass Clarinet and Strings" (2004), presented in the conventional three-movement concerto form (fast – slow – fast). Throughout the piece—and in true concerto fashion—the soloist explores the capabilities of the bass clarinet while facing expressive and technical challenges not always associated with the instrument. Meanwhile, the string quintet, far from humming away quietly in the background, does its share of heavy-lifting as it weaves a colorful, multi-textured fabric around the solo line.

Each of the three movements reflects a stte of being familiar to us all: Levity bubbles over with gregarious enthusiasm; Loss throbs with poignancy, grief, and pain; and Emphasis certainly makes its point.

From the CD "High Autumn" on the Potenza label: http://www.potenzamusic.com/high-autumn-works-for-clarinet-by-james-grant-126345.a

Score and parts available through Potenza Music — sales@potenzamusic.com



Purchase at Potenza

SEXTET FOR BASS CLARINET AND STRINGS | William Helmers, bass clarinet

Movement I, "Levity," from "Sextet for Bass Clarinet and Strings" — William Helmers, bass clarinet; Phllarmonia Quartet, with Zachary Cohen, double bass

Sextet for Bass Clarinet and Strings |  I. Levity

Movement II, "Loss," from "Sextet for Bass Clarinet and Strings" — William Helmers, bass clarinet; Philomusica Quartet, with Zachary Cohen, double bass.

Sextet for Bass Clarinet and Strings |  II. Loss

Movement III, "Emphasis," from "Sextet for Bass Clarinet and Strings" — William Helmers, bass clarinet; Philomusica Quartet, with Zachary Cohen, double bass.

SEXTET FOR BASS CLARINET AND STRINGS | William Helmers, bass clarinet

JamesGrantMusic (email Jim at JamesGrantMusic.com)