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Program Note:We find Mr. & Mrs. Tattletale in their parlor. All their married life they’ve been sneak peeking on their neighborhood from behind the curtains. Sipping from their tea, hoping for something to happen, eagerly awaiting the next gossip….
My muse balances between melancholy and absurdity. Always with a cinematic touch and with the joy of playing in mind. Every now and then I loosen the reins and let my mind stray from the path of serious thinking and searching. Just let go and let the muse lead the way. |
This composition was commissioned by the talented Miss Frankie Dascola. My endless gratitude to her for giving me this opportunity to discover the wonderful world of bass & contrabass clarinet.
Premiered on May 12, 2018 at the Provincetown Playhouse, New York, NY.
Note by Dietrich Van Akelyen
Premiered on May 12, 2018 at the Provincetown Playhouse, New York, NY.
Note by Dietrich Van Akelyen
Additional Note & Annotation - By Frankie Dascola
The Autumn Years of Mr. & Mrs Tattletale is a conversation between the bass and contrabass that starts with a low moan that slowly moves into the instruments playing in thirds. Slowly we move into a more exciting part when we assume Mr. & Mrs. Tattletale see something to tattle about. The gossip is so exciting and there is a lovely change as we moving into the triplet idea. The flexible tempo allows this great back and forth between bass and contrabass that is rarely ever heard. The range for the contrabass at this point is for an advanced player but can be achieved with practice. The work gradually winds down back into the original moan, since the gossip has been shared and Mr. and Mrs. Tattletale complete their rather exciting day.
This piece was exciting for me because I always wanted something that I could play with my sister Jesse who only plays bass clarinet. She was the first person I ever met that only played bass clarinet and was the largest inspiration for this project along with my own personal frustrations regarding never having fun parts on contrabass. The Autumn Years of Mr. & Mrs Tattletale give us a chance to hear what these instruments sound like together. The technique required for bass is advanced but doable for any player who wishes to put in the time, though I would not suggest this for a new bass clarinet player.
I dedicate my performance of this premier to my sister Jesse Dascola who always wanted to play bass clarinet even when others didn’t get why.
This piece was exciting for me because I always wanted something that I could play with my sister Jesse who only plays bass clarinet. She was the first person I ever met that only played bass clarinet and was the largest inspiration for this project along with my own personal frustrations regarding never having fun parts on contrabass. The Autumn Years of Mr. & Mrs Tattletale give us a chance to hear what these instruments sound like together. The technique required for bass is advanced but doable for any player who wishes to put in the time, though I would not suggest this for a new bass clarinet player.
I dedicate my performance of this premier to my sister Jesse Dascola who always wanted to play bass clarinet even when others didn’t get why.