Huydts: Quintet, op 30 for Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello and Piano

Code: JP2165
ISMN: 979-0-3019-0684-2

The Quintet op.30 was written at the request of the Orion Ensemble of Chicago. The piece was written in the month of July, 2002, while staying in Barcelona, Catalunya. The piece has four movements and is about 22 minutes long. The opening movement (fairly slow) is a piece that evokes one of those summer nights in which a serene calm prevails, and life seems to offer nothing but good. The second movement (ben marcato) opens with a playful statement by the cello. The other instruments pick up on this theme, and in a call and response fashion the piece develops into a lively discussion, reminiscent of a festive occasion. The third movement (tranquillo), offers some bluesy harmonies which form the foundation for a long cantilène by the violin. A conscious tribute to the composer's father, who is a jazz musician, integrates classical harmonic progressions and melody with spicy harmonies reminiscent of Duke Ellington. The last movement (tempo giusto) brings back a lively atmosphere. Influenced by song and dance from Andalucia, most notably Flamenco, much of the work depends on the lively rhythmic interaction between the instruments leading to several climaxes.

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