Clarinet duet based on a Gregorian chant Ave, Maris Stella

Star of the Sea for two clarinets

First in a series of "Little Duets" for clarinets.

Birds in Fog

1. Raasay Lament ' Cumha Mhic' ille Chalum'
2. Water Kelpie Call ' Each-uisge'
3. Fairy Music ' Ceol-Brutha'
4. In Hebrid Seas ' Heman Dubh'
5. The Wild Swan ' Eala fo león'
6. A Tiree Tragedy ' Mo Nighean donn a Cornaig'

A note from the composer:
These pieces are a tribute to Harrison Birtwistle's time on the Hebridean island, Raasay, and followed a similar form to his famous Duets for Storab written for two flutes in 1 983. Birtwistle's original six duets were inspired by the legend of Storab, a Viking prince, who was shipwrecked and sought refuge on the island of Raasay.

This short collection of duets for Eb or Bb clarinets set snippets of Hebridean folk melodies which were carefully transcribed by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser in 1909, and which she dedicated 'To the women of the Hebrides, who were not only skilled in the spinning and weaving of fine linen and in the curious arts of the dyer, but who sang at their work.' Kennedy-Frasers work attempted to preserve and restore some of these songs, and here, I am acknowledging them and developing them anew. I have specifically chosen folk melodies that have links to the island of Raasay, or have themes of mythology or nature, as these themes are strong in my own work.

Raasay Duets (WP)

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: X. 10 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: IX. 9 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: VIII. 8 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: VII. 7 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: VI. 6 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: V. 5 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: IV. 4 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: III. 3 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: II. 2 Tequilas

Mike Curtis - 10 Tequilas: I. 1 Tequila

Clarinet Duet (Grade 3)  with Piano accompaniment

Two Sticks And A Bunch Of Keys

Prelude from Bach Cello Suite #1, for two clarinets, 
Bb (top), panned hard right
Eb (bottom), panned hard left

Bach Cello Suite

Dave Joyce is an experienced instrumentalist and composer and teacher.   He is a versatile musician who has played piano and trombone in various ensembles in the South Yorkshire area.  He has composed music for solo clarinet, flute, piano and for larger ensembles such as Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, the Keith Peters Big Band and Sheffield Music Hub.

Lecturer of Music and Education at Sunderland University, composer, cunductor and researcher.  

This selection of work spans my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and now my professional endeavors.

My work tends to draw upon literature, history, myth etc. with strong programmatic elements.  These are just examples of instrumental works.

New tracks tagged #Clarinet duet