Edward McGuire: Soundweft for solo clarinet [download]

8-minute work for solo clarinet, commissioned by Ian Mitchell, composed in 1986.

“The title alludes to weaving - the weft being the widthwise or horizontal threads in woven fabric. Although the music has a note row as its material, motives and intervals from it emerge and interact with parts of a reel called 'The Weaving Reel'. This was written by the composer, but in a traditional Scottish style, and makes a fuller appearance only near the climax of the work, in the clarinet's high register. Indeed, the contrast between the registers is used to create an illusion of two or three instruments playing. As an illustration, the reel is played before the performance.

The piece falls into six sections - Sostenuto, Allegro assai, Tempo I (rapid, low register), ppp senza vibrato, Allegro Assai, and Tempo I (multiple sounds and tremolo.”