Edward Smaldone

Flute, Clarinet, Violin, and Cello

Composer's Note:

Double Duo was composed in 1987 for the "Sounds from the Left Bank" concert series, sponsored by the Queens Symphony Orchestra and first performed in NYC at PS.1. The composer revised the score in 2006.

The work is recorded by the All of the Above Ensemble (Ablaze ar00053) and by the All-Star ensemble of Tara Helen O'Connor, flute; Charles Neidich, clarinet; Daniel Phillips, violin; and Marcy Rosen, cello on New Focus Records (FCR 258).

The title refers to the two pairs of instruments that comprise the ensemble: a wind duo and a string duo. The musical materials of the entire piece are stated in the opening measures, which contains the motivic material for both the energetic opening and the lyrical second area. The formal structure of the piece is like a Sonata Allegro movement. After the two contrasting sections are explored, there is a development, followed by a recapitulation. However, when the recapitulation occurs, both themes are presented simultaneously!

The piece is not prorammatic in any way, but nevertheless presents a varied and changing emotional landscape that is by turns energetic and highly rhythmic, and then lyrical and still. These two characters are presented one after the other and also superimposed.