Classical Music | Clarinet Music

Recorded on 12/14/2005, uploaded on 02/05/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Dance Preludes for clarinet and piano           Witold Lutoslawski     

I Allegro molto; II Andantino; III Allegro giocoso; IV Andante; V Allegro molto

Possibly the most significant Polish composer since Chopin, Witold Lutoslawski was one of the major European composers of the 20^th century.  His earlier works are characterized by the influence of Polish folk music combined with a wide range of rich atmospheric textures.  The Dance Preludes, written in 1954, display these qualities as well as a clear, fresh tonality distantly related to Bartok   Although these Dance Preludes are based on folkloristic melodies, they are more than a simple arrangement, rather providing a blueprint for the freely-treated melodic shape of the pieces.  Lutoslawski completed this piece for clarinet and piano in 1954. The following year, he re-worked it for clarinet, harp, piano, percussion and strings and four years later he produced a third version for the Czech Nonet (woodwind quintet with violin, viola, cello and double bass). The work is in five movements and is based on folk songs from northern Poland, although the original folk material has been so seamlessly interwoven as to make any precise identification impossible.  The composer has referred to it as "My farewell to folklore for an indefinite period." .       Alexander Fiterstein

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.