In this edition of our Spotlight Series, the clarinet takes centre stage - its voice by turns ecstatic, earthy, and luminous. We begin with Canticles, a new work by Lachlan Skipworth, written for clarinet, piano, violin and cello. With clarity and restraint, its three movements offer a meditation on sound and form, with the clarinet a constant presence. From there, we turn to one of the most extraordinary works in the chamber repertoire: Olivier Messiaens Quartet for the End of Time, composed in a prisoner-of-war camp and filled with visions of eternity, colour and transcendence. Together, the two works offer a powerful frame for listening grounded in breath, and lifted toward the ineffable.
Lachlan Skipworth (b. 1982)
Canticles for Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano
i. in Air
ii. in Light
iii. in Fire
Interval (20 minutes)
Olivier Messiaen (19081992)
Quatuor pour la fin du temps (Quartet for the End of Time)
I. Liturgie de cristal
II. Vocalise, pour lAnge qui annonce la fin du Temps
III. Abime des oiseaux
IV. Intermede
V. Louange a lEternite de Jesus
VI. Danse de la fureur, pour les sept trompettes
VII. Fouillis darcs-en-ciel, pour lAnge qui annonce la fin du Temps
VIII. Louange a lImmortalite de Jesus
Som Howie - Clarinet
Akiko Miyazawa - Violin
Jeremy Garside - Cello
Liam Wooding - Piano