Solo Bass Clarinet-Claude Debussy's Syrinx for Bass Clarinet. Despite being written originally for Flute this transcription of Syrinx by Helen Paskins works beautifully for the Bass Clarinet; the timbre of theinstrument really resonates with the haunting melancholy of the melody. 'Syrinx was written in 1913 by Debussy for the flute as incidental music to Gabriel Mourey's play Psyché. It was first performed by anddedicated to Louis Fleury. It has become a staple of the flute repertoire and subsequently of the solo classical saxophone repertoire too. It works beautifully on the bass clarinet; the timbre of the instrument really resonateswith the haunting melancholy of the melody. The story of Syrinx is from classical mythology and has inspired many wonderful works of art literature and music. It tells of a beautiful and chaste nymph who istransformed into water reeds that sing sweetly in the breeze as she attempts to escape the amorous advances of the Greek God Pan. Pan on hearing the enchanting melody of the reeds cuts them down to make pan pipes therebyunwittingly killing his love but keeping her with him forever. For flautists Syrinx and the French flute tradition have played an important role in inspiring players to find and explore the full palette ofethereal and evocative tone colours. The subtle flexibility with which it is possible to craft the sound is a feature of wonderful flute playing today and from which I feel there is much we bass clarinettists can learn.' -Helen Paskins 2015
SKU: CY.CC2924
Debussy composed this breathtaking unaccompanied work in 1913, and it became the first solo work for the Böhm flute and the first solo work by a major composer since C.P.E. Bach almost 150 years earlier.The music allows wide latitude for interpretation and can really show off the musical imagination of the performer.The great French flautist Marcel Moyse is credited with adding phrasing and barlines to his friend Debussy's new work.In classical mythology, Syrinx was a nymph and a follower of Artemis, known for her chastity. Pursued by the amorous Greekgod Pan, she ran to a river's edge and asked for assistance from the river nymphs. In answer, she was transformed into hollow water reeds that made a haunting sound when the god's frustrated breath blew across them. Pan cut the reeds to fashion the first set of pan pipes, which were thereafter known as Syrinx.This work of 2 1/2 minutes for advanced performers can add a new dimension to your recital, as it is often performed offstage.The sample performance was recorded by Ralph Sauer in May 2012.
Claude Debussy: Syrinx: Bass Clarinet: Instrumental Work
