Alchemist's Brew for bass clarinet & electric organ by Frank Horvat (6 min)
Recording Information
Recording available on request.
Programme Notes...
The bass clarinet is an instrument that tends to get disrespected since it isn’t used that often in solo or chamber music circles. My favourite usage comes from Miles Davis' album, Bitches Brew. The bass clarinet is given a central role in improvisation and it's distinctive timbre gives the orchestration a unique twist to what's normally expected in jazz instrumentation. The spirit of this usage is what influenced the bass clarinet part within "Alchemist's Brew".
I had the opportunity to read the novel, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, before composing this piece. I was inspired by the positive message that it espouses, the adventurous journey that the lead character takes part in, and the imagery that the text evokes of the old world. In this piece, I explore elements of Middle Eastern music including the usage of polymetres and scale patterns; sonorities from a part of the world that I find very fascinating.
Dedicated to my good, bass clarinet playing, friend, Michele Jacot!
