5 Miniaturen for Clarinet in B-flat and Piano, op. 34 (1971)
Duration: 5 Minutes
Publisher: N. Simrock Hamburg-London (Boosey & Hawkes) ISMN: 9790221108470
Video: Works by Hummel on youtube
The compact,
richly contrasting movements are composed in 12-tone
style.
1. The restrained opening develops within limited space
a fanfare character which is then weakened towards the
end.
2. Above a carpet of piano sound, the clarinet rises
with a quasi recitativo, closing the movement with a
short arioso.
3. The lively passages were suggested by typical
conversational gestures. (Clarinet solo - piano solo -
clarinet solo)
4. A three-section song form in slow tempo contains
lyrical as well as dramatic moments. (Piano solo -
clarinet solo - piano solo)
5. Variations in rondo form conclude effectively and in
fast tempo this work rich in aphorisms.
Bertold Hummel