Trio for Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano, Christopher Norton

TheTrio for Clarinet, Bassoon and Pianowas written in 2012 at the request of Geoff Colmer, bassoon player for the Horizon Ensemble (Katie Cannel – clarinet, Geoff Colmer – bassoon and Mary Cotes – piano). The 1st movement,A Day Out, sounds like an “outdoor” piece and is easy-going and tuneful, with a number of themes vying for attention, particularly the opening theme and the lyrical second. These musical elements are stirred about in various ways, including a striking syncopated figure. A development section leads via scalic figures to canonic figures and a varied restatement, which includes a heroic version of the second main theme.

An Interludeis a soulful piece, with a declamatory piano introduction leading to a big tune on bassoon, in the tenor register, with the clarinet then taking up the melody. A second section keeps the contemplative mood going and includes a passage for clarinet and bassoon alone. A restatement follows, in a loose canon between bassoon and clarinet. A coda gently lets the music wend its way out, with a final reference to the big tune right at the end.

A Breezy Dayis a gently upbeat piece, with 6/8 and 5/8 featured, 5/8 probably being declared the winner. There are extrovert scale passages, syncopated rhythmic passages and the overall effect is light and airy, maybe even a bit breezy.