Szałowski, Antoni (1907-1973)
Divertimento (5:30) 1955 Publisher: Chester Music (c1956)
Preludio
Arietta
Rondino
Instrumentation: oboe, clarinet, bassoon
This short yet graceful work is dedicated to the René Daraux Trio d’Anches and commissioned by the Chester publishing house in London. As in the trio, the Divertimento showcases formal clarity, motoric rhythmical movement, tonal harmony with dissonance. Most of the melodic material can be found in the oboe and clarinet in movements I and III with bassoon playing the accompaniment mostly in eighth notes. In movement II the bassoon plays a beautiful songful solo.
The performance problems are similar to the Trio. Rhythmical precision is a must, although the work is much easier to put together. The only difference is that the performers need to bring out the melody very carefully from the underlying texture. It can get easily lost in the faster movements.
Grade: IV
Recordings: The Art of Collective Invention, The Carvel Trio
Sheet music source: halleonard.com, trevcomusic.com, sheetmusicplus.com