Zwischenraum (2016)

for Solo Clarinet

Duration: 5 minutes

 

Program Notes:

Zwischenraum (2016) was inspired by one of my meditative practices, where the goal is to focus on the space between thoughts. This is a very powerful practice and one quickly realizes how short that space is and how hard it can be to still the mind and bring focus to that space between (Zwischenraum).For myself one of the times that I experience glimpses of this stillness is during moments of composing, when the music seems to effortlessly flow. For performers, I believe, those moments happen in performance where the mind is not thinking but rather in a flow of being in the moment. This piece is intended as a kind of on-stage centering piece for the performer and starts with breathing which is such a vital part of music and living. It also invites the audience to settle into the concert space and bring awareness to the space between thoughts. Zwischenraum was written for clarinetist Stephanie Zelnick.

 

 

Performance Note:

Ideally, this piece is performed as a concert opener to allow the performer and audience to settle into the concert. To strip away the wall between the performer and audience even further (which can sometimes be presented by a music stand) it is also recommended that the piece be performed from memory with soft lighting as close to the audience as is comfortable.