Early Music Reimagined For Clarinet Consorts

Abstract

Early music for instrumental consorts dates back to the 16th century. Clarinet choirs have existed only since the last decade of the 19th century. About three hundred years worth of consort music remains untouched by clarinetists. As a result, these arrangements are severely underrepresented in the clarinet choir repertoire. This project reimagines six pieces of early music, placing the clarinet backwards in time when it was a nonexistent instrument. Mainly focusing on genres from the Renaissance and Baroque, this document addresses performance practice issues for the performing clarinet consort. The selections span a variety of early genres from antiphonal choir, galliard, bransle, trio sonata, passacaille, and symphony. Discussion of performance practice is tailored specifically for each piece including instrumentation, dynamics, articulation, and ornamentation. Historical context about the composer and their composition is also included in the project. Not only do these pieces add to the clarinet choir repertoire, they serve as a first step in ongoing work in expanding the early repertoire for this instrumentation.