Gdańsk, 2014
Serenada Łąkowa 1-2/Measow Serenade 1-2 (23:00) Gdańsk, 2014 Publisher: AMUZ, Gdańsk (c2017)
Uwertura/Overture
Walc/Waltz
Pastorale
Nokturn/Nocturne
Romans/Romance (dedicated to the loved one)
Rondo
Instrumentation: 2 oboes, oboe d’amore, 2clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons
This composition was written for the 30th anniversary of the woodwind and percussion department of the Music Academy in Gdańsk. It was written for the students of the school, and it was premiered at the gala concert celebrating the anniversary. The formal language of the piece corresponds to the traditional forms of 18th and 17th century divertimenti and serenades. However, the musical material makes use of jazz and film music influences. Each instrument is featured as a soloist at different points in the composition and is given jazz-like solos that sound like improvisation. Written for a very unconventional octet (a reed octet) this work shows interesting textures and musical colors as well as unconventional instrumental treatment. One instance is the bassoon and bass clarinet duet in the introduction to the Pastoral movement. The whole composition is very graceful and the motoric rhythms along jazz-like lines make it enjoyable to perform. There is a balance of difficulty between the parts, although there are no great technical challenges besides occasional high notes. An advanced high school player would still be able to play them. Some syncopated rhythms might present a challenge in some of the movements.
Grade: III-IV
Recordings: www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Xh77uu7Xr_fek6GMAOVlg
Sheet music source: wydawnictwo.amuz.gda.pl/index.php/produkt/serenada-lakowa-1-2/