Movie Night!

Movie Night — Cinematic Scenarios for Flute(s) Clarinet(s) & Piano.

“Ever since listening to the “Superman” TV show theme when I was a kid in the 1950s, and also to the hilarious Carl Stalling scores featured in the Bugs Bunny and other Warner Brothers cartoons, I’ve had a strong appreciation for film music in its sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle partnership with visual media in the main story-telling medium that informs, entertains (or distracts?) our age.

So, in a fond and quirky musical tribute to a few classic cinematic “scenes” — a comedy routine, a mysterious midnight romantic encounter and, of course, a heart-racing chase sequence — I thought that perhaps the unfolding musical events alone may produce a movie-of-the-mind in the listeners.

Also, in not having an 85-member Hollywood studio orchestra directly at hand, it seemed a worthy, necessary and enjoyable challenge to exploit the expressive personalities and contrasts of just a couple of woodwinds and a piano. By the way, if your bass clarinet doesn’t have the Low C, then simply adjust those few lowest notes to the higher octave as needed. 

The tongue-in-cheek “old Hollywood” fanfare introduction is optional. You could just start with the “Chiaroscuro Comedy” section for a more “serious” presentation!”

Instrumentation:

• Piccolo, Flute and Alto Flute
• Clarinet and Bass Clarinet (low C extension required)
• Piano