Paul Carr

Running with Dogs

RUNNING WITH DOGS was originally composed in 2007 on the beautiful island of Mallorca, where I was living at the time. The piece formed the first movement of my Bassoon Sonatina, but was later re-worked as a solo piece for Clarinet and Piano: it's the sort of piece that lends itself well to a variety of instruments.
In 2020 the Spanish saxophonist, Vicent Bas Ibanez, asked if I'd ever written anything for Tenor Saxophone and Harp, a lovely combination, and as Vicent was studying at the Conservatori Superior de Musica in Palma, this re-working of Running With Dogs felt an obvious choice in responding to his request. I've basically re-written it for this combination, but the carefee, light-hearted feeling of the piece remains at it's core.
When in Mallorca, I had three dogs, Mallorcan Rateros, all of them rescued when puppies - a very cute miniature Pincher type of breed. In the winter months when the majority of tourists had left and the beaches deserted, I used to let them run across the white sands of Canyamel Beach, watching them relish in the freedom of being out in this wild and beautiful setting. Paul Carr
Duration 5 minutes

The harp part can also be played on the piano.