Guillaume Druel

Concerto à plumes

Following Quatre façons d'oiseau, Concerto à plumes (Feathred concerto) is another vibrant tribute ta the order of birds. The three movements of this piece for solo clarinet draw their inspiration from the energy of (respective/y) cormorants, sparrows and starlings, from the contrast between their lightness, their ability ta remain motionless and the way they suddenly take off and jly away at lightning speed.

While it does not make use of advanced contemporary playing modes, Concerto à plumes is nevertheless quite demanding in terms of tone quality, finger velocity and perfect command of staccato tonguing. Characteristic compositional features include contrasting nuances, wide intervals and asymmetrical met ers... The exuberant liveliness of the final movement - Étourneaux (Starlings) - is tinged with Eastern European influences.

Required instrumental proficiency level: Cycle 3.

Guillaume Druel