Work : Dark Romance


Composer : Daniel Dorff http://www.danieldorff.com/index.htm


Difficulty Ranking : II


Publisher : Tenuto Publications


Year Published : 1995


Dedication : Clarinessence


Instrumentation : 3 Bb Clarinets and 1 Bass Clarinet or Clarinet Choir


Potential Pedagogical Applications : Articulation matching, intonation (octave, unison, and chordal), ensemble mechanics (frequent tempo transitions and fermati), phrase matching and handoffs, solo passages, tone development and blend


Sample Recording : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-MLGr_6ssM


Where to Purchase Sheet Music : http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/dark-romance-sheet-music/5044632


Annotation : Similar to his other works for the ensemble, Dorff’s Dark Romance can be performed by a clarinet quartet or expanded to be performed by a clarinet choir. The work is technically and musically highly accessible and appropriate for students capable of playing grade II works. The work has only one altissimo note, a D 4 in the first clarinet part. The most challenging aspect of this work is its frequent tempo transitions and fermati, which will be challenging for young ensembles. This is a perfect work, however, to teach ensemble mechanics.