TIME PIECES Op. 43
Arranged for Alto Saxophone and Piano
I. Allegro risoluto
II. Andante espressivo
III. Allegro moderato
IV. Andante molto; Allegro
“Technically and musically there is quite a lot going on in this four-movement suite, and much of the time both instruments share the action equally. The music is made up of a number of elements: energetic, syncopated rhythms, long and sustained melodic lines, cadenzas for solo clarinet, tongue-in-cheek humour and an overall “up” feeling. For me the title refers to when and where I was composing the work, sort of a frozen-in-time idea.” - Robert Muczynski
Dedicated to commissioning clarinetist Mitchell Lurie, Time Pieces, Op. 43 is a refined work of postmodernism, using traditional forms, percussive syncopation, and lyricism in a way that can only be described as authentically Muczynski. The first piece identifies a bold, syncopated theme shared between instruments in this chamber setting. The second piece brings to light Muczynski’s emotional side with an introverted lament. The singing theme develops into a vulnerable cadenza before a final, full statement of the opening theme. The third piece takes the form of a tango, full of light polyrhythms that add a welcome sense of playfulness to the suite. The final piece begins as a reflective solo passage,mirroring the intimate qualities heard earlier in the second piece. Tension builds as the introverted opening cadenza turns to a violent outburst that propels the ensemble into the energetic main theme. Once established, aggression eases while vitality remains. As the piece approaches its end, pressure builds once again before exploding into a frenzied cadenza, bolstering towards a celebratory end.
According to Muczynski, the title, Time Pieces, has no relation to mechanical clocks at all! However, it is rumored that he was fascinated with clocks all kinds of mechanical time pieces. From this shared fascination sparked my initial curiosity around the work. During my undergraduate studies I became exceedingly interested in watches not only as fashion accessories, but also as exceptional pieces of engineering that are as much art as they are often mechanically incredible pieces of history. This horological rabbit hole I started down began when I received a very small Citizen watch that used to be my father’s-given to me after he passed away in 2012. Both because the watch is undoubtedly a dress watch that
would look silly if worn daily, and because he was always one of my biggest supporters when I started playing music, you can see me wearing that same gold watch most anytime I perform (including tonight).
Time Pieces is one of those works where every time I heard it, I always thought there should be a saxophone arrangement. It sounds like something a saxophonist would play. Mitchell Lurie often used bits of vibrato when performing this work. Of course, it bears many similarities to Robert Muczynski’s saxophone sonata. It sounds like Muczynski. Due to the work’s popularity among clarinetists and how relatively new the work is, I contacted the Theodore Presser Company with the idea-just to be legally safe. To my surprise, they gave me the go-ahead to start the project! (…I didn’t expect to get this far). From that email chain, this new arrangement has been built! The piano scoring, and the range of the original clarinet part have remained unchanged. The original clarinet version will always have a special place in my heart, and it is my intent only to broaden the reach of this piece between instruments.
Beginning as a clarinet player, and especially after spending so much time away from clarinet, I have always been fascinated with how much clarinetists can DO with a phrase, especially without vibrato. Their ability to seemingly draw direction and motion-seemingly-out of thin air has always been deeply captivating. While playing the saxophone arrangement of Leonard Bernstein’s Sonata for Clarinet & Piano, I was reminded of how vibrato can be a crutch or, even worse, an unconscious force in our playing. This arrangement is a product of my great respect for not only the piece itself, but the many clarinetists who continue to inspire me.
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Alto Saxophone - Mathew Harget
Piano - Hanah Charbonneau
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From Mathew Harget’s master's recital “Time Pieces” on June 9th, 2023 in the Ostin Ensemble room at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music.
Website: mathewharget.com
Instagram: mathew_harget