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Score title
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Stubborn as Hell
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Composer
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Stacy Garrop
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Date
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2016, 2018
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Instrumentation
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Soprano saxophone (2)
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Program note
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Originally a saxophonist herself, Stacy Garrop has enriched the sax repertory with many chamber works that offer both daredevil excitement and an insider's affinity for the instrument. STTUBORN AS HELL began life as a duet for clarinets; it has been adapted by the composer for saxophones, retaining its playful virtuosity, hence the title and premise of STUBBORN AS HELL. The "stubbornness" refers to the performers incessantly battling each other around common pitches, informed by the composer's sophisticated wit and sense of humor.
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Program Note for Stubborn as Hell for Two B-flat Clarinets
Stubborn as Hell was commissioned by virtuoso clarinetist Robert Spring. I heard Bob perform in September 2010 when I attended his clarinet concert at Arizona State University – Tempe. Bob is one of those wondrous musicians that plays the most challenging pieces written for the instrument and make them sound effortless. When he commissioned me, I wanted to write a piece that not only reflected his technical and musical abilities, but also his great sense of humor, hence the title and premise of the piece. The “stubbornness” of the title refers to the manner in which the two instruments incessantly battle each other around the pitch D, and how they willfully get stuck repeating pitches and gestures.
-S.G.
Note: This YouTube video is a recording of Stubborn as Hell for Two B-flat Clarinets.
Stacy Garrop
