DIVERTISSEMENT

ABOUT THE WORK: The Divertissement was commissioned by conductor Peter Morris for his Thameside Clarinet Choir in London in 1991. The score was completed in the September of that year and the first performance followed in November 1991. 1992 saw at least two more performances of the piece, also in London by the Thameside Clarinet Choir. The music is tonal, tuneful and highly rhythmic, with varying colours and textures throughout.
The first movement begins with a grand, slow introduction, leading into the Allegro Moderato, which announces the bright and cheerful main theme. A slower middle section uses the music from the introduction as well as an inner accompaniment figure of the main theme. There are various solos throughout, which would be played by the section leaders. The sunny main theme then returns towards the end to complete the movement.
The slow, second movement is the austere, serious side of the work, and seeks to express the more stark, creepy side of a clarinet choir. The textures are piercing, sometimes aggressive, dark and swirling.
The third and final movement, Rondo, is jolly, light-hearted and fun, and is possibly the most technically challenging movement of the piece. There are many time signature changes throughout and the music is fast, spiky, humorous and very mischievous. Again, there are various solos for section leaders, especially for the bass and E flat clarinets.

Parts provided:
2 Clarinets in E flat
1st Clarinets in B flat (minimum of 3 players)
2nd Clarinets in B flat (minimum of 3 players)
3rd Clarinets in B flat (minimum of 2 players)
Alto Clarinet in E flat (minimum 1 player)
Basset Horn in F (minimum 1 player)
Bass Clarinets in B flat (minimum of 2 players)
Contrabass Clarinet in B flat (minimum of 1 player)
N.B. The Alto clarinet and Basset horn parts are identical, to accommodate the needs of different choirs. Either can be used, or both together.

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