The twentieth century : new dimensions for clarinet

Abstract

With the rise of the twentieth century, several new currents drew the music to new dimensions, and this had a major influence on the music for the clarinet. New textures, sounds and timbre have been carried to new parameters. An increasing interest in composing music for solo unaccompanied non-keyboard instruments or voices is a particular feature of this century which has left a remarkable change in clarinet repertoire. The main interest was diverted to melody (which often looses its meaning in twentieth century music) and to the timbre and technical possibilities of the instrument. The turn of the century soon switched to new approaches in clarinet writing. The jazz, as from the twenties gave to the clarinet a new identity. Later on, new sounds were being explored. Aleatoric music has also helped the clarinet on its long journey throughout this century. This dissertation points out several works for the clarinet. Through the use of examples, I attempt to trace the various influences, together with the increasing technical demands on the clarinet player, which have led the instrument to reach new dimensions.