Tchaikovsky’s Chanson Triste arranged for clarinet quintet comprising 5 x Bb clarinets and bass clarinet. An Eb clarinet can be used to play the clarinet in Bb 1 part. The clarinet quintet realisation plays back at 100 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute This is a 5 part arrangement with the option of substituting a clarinet in Eb for the Clarinet in Bb 1 part. Individual parts for the clarinet players are appended to the full score in the pdf download. Accompaniments are in place to provide opportunity for the clarinet in Eb or clarinet in Bb 1 player to practice in an ensemble context. They playback at 96, 98,100, 102 & 104 quarter note or crotchet bpm. In the arrangement there are a number of octave transpositions (upwards) in the bass clarinet part. For instrumentalists this is an excellent piece for improving intonation (aka playing in tune) in an ensemble context. The clarinet is a great ensemble instrument whatever the playing level . The music editor does feel sorry for the status of clarinet 4 because the number 4 doesn’t suggest the difficulty of the part in the arrangement as far as exploring the lower pitch range of the clarinet. One of Tchaikovsky’s most popular pieces composed in 1878 for piano and arranged for clarinet quintet in the original key of G minor. It is a ternary form ABA movement in a reflective melancholy mood. It has a regular phrase structure and the melodic line needs to be played with a singing legato. When performing the music be aware that tempo changes particularly at the end of phrases are appropriate. The music needs to be delivered with expression and a broad range of dynamics. Playing the A minor scale (sounding in G minor) in both the harmonic and melodic forms would be excellent preparation for playing this intermediate level work.
