Three Bagatelles from China West: for Flute and Clarinet

Score title

Three Bagatelles from China West: for Flute and Clarinet

Composer

Chen Yi

More about the composer

Chen Yi

Date

2014

Instrumentation

Flute, clarinet

Library copy

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Other versions

Three Bagatelles from China West: for Clarinet and Piano

Three Bagatelles from China West: for Two Flutes

Three Bagatelles from China West: for Flute and Piano

Three Bagatelles from China West: for Violin and Cello

Program note

I. Shan Ge
II. Nai Guo Hou
III. Dou Duo

THREE BAGATELLES FROM CHINA WEST was commissioned by Meet the Composer for flutist Marya Martin's “Flute Book for the 21st Century” project, later known as EIGHT VISIONS (Presser 414-41193), as part of MTC's New Music, New Donors program. The work is dedicated to Mr. Gilbert Kaplan, a longtime friend of the composer, for his tremendous support of classical music in the world, with deep admiration and respect.

The authentic folk music of China West has amazed and inspired me to write this piece:
-Movement I draws from folk music elements of the solo piece Shange Diao played on the wind instrument Lerong, as well as the musical pattern played on the small wind instrument Kouxian of the Jingpo people.
-Movement II is inspired by the solo piece Nai Guo Hou played on the wind instrument Bawu, as well as pitch material sung in the folk song Ashima of the Yi People.
-Movement III comes from the folk song Dou Duo, as well as sounds of the Lusheng ensemble playing of the Miao People.

THREE BAGATELLES FROM CHINA WEST was originally composed for flute and piano (also available separately as Presser 114-41397), with an alternate version for two flutes (414-41193B) – the second flute covering the entire piano part and the original flute part remaining untouched.

At the request of my friends, the bagatelles have since been adapted for:
Clarinet (Bb and/or Eb) & Piano (114-41615), for Jun Qian
Double Bass and Piano (114-41612), for Henry Chen
Flute and Clarinet (114-41611)
Flute & Guitar (114-41609)
Guanzi & Sheng (114-41647), for Bao Jian and Hu Jianbing
Violin and Cello (114-41610), for Hsiao-mei Ku
2 Cellos, Mvt. III only, titled “Happy Tune” (114-41648), for Richard and Lena Andaya

In addition, the Clarinet part of the Clarinet/Piano version may be combined with the Clarinet “2nd part” of the Flute/Clarinet version, to create a duet for two clarinets.