ORCHESTRATION: Clarinet in Bb, Solo Violin, Piano, Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
Bach in Blue for piano (composed 2004) - arranged for clarinet, violin, piano and strings (2015).
As a piano solo, this piece was one of a number of tributes to Michael Berkeley in his tenth and final season as Director of the Cheltenham Festival. Llyr Williams gave the premiere at the Pittville Pump Room on 10th July 2004. There are now recordings of it as a piano solo (played by the composer) and also for violin, clarinet and piano (the Verdehr Trio). Several composers, notably Gounod and later Arvo Part, have become involved with this first prelude in Bach's 48. I had often felt that there must be a blues lurking somewhere beneath Bach's chords and I found it here. Peter Dickinson
A PACK includes a full score, string parts 4/4/3/4/2 and one of each solo part.
Duration 5½ minutes
"The thematic material is garnered from the ubiquitous first Prelude of JSB's '48'. Not at first obvious, the composer soon reveals the well-known keyboard figurations into the music, supporting blues-infused clarinet and violin solos. It is a lovely piece."
John France, Music-Web International
- ISMN: 9790222294875 (M222294875)
