Harbour Light
A reflective short concert work for clarinet quartet, inspired by a sunrise over the sea.
Composer : Jim Fieldhouse
Instrumentation : Clarinet Quartet - 3 Bb clarinets & bass (optional Alto clarinet substitute for part 3 included)
Difficulty rating : Advanced
Originally written for the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Harbour Light was inspired by an early morning trip to photograph the sunrise over Whitby, on the North Yorkshire coastline. The music depicts stillness of the morning looking out from the harbour wall across the vast expanse of water. The rising sun brakes through the clouds, painting the water with a golden glow, the stillness only disturbed by waves swirling around the sea walls and the call of seagulls.
The work uses lush harmonic chorale-style writing with flowing solo interjections. Harbour Light opens with a simple solo line over calm chordal textures, while bubbling semi-quaver lines depict the ever turbulent waters. The solo lines are passed around the ensemble as the music ebbs and flows to its peaceful conclusion.
This short concert work has be re-scored for clarinet quartet and is sure to add a moment of peace and tranquillity to any programme.