Chalumeau

This jazz-inflected clarinet solo was inspired by the playing of the great American clarinettist Eddie Daniels. The title is taken from the preponderance of chalumeau (low register) notes in the main theme although the solo part covers most of the clarinet range at some point during the piece.

The music should sound free and improvised even though it is carefully written to achieve that effect. It should be noted that although the music is jazz-inflected it is not meant to be swung – the feel is more that of a laidback Latin style. There are three allusions to well-known clarinet solos towards the end, although hopefully they are not too obvious!