Work : So What Elsa’s New
Composer : Eric P. Mandat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Mandat
Difficulty Ranking : VI
Publisher : Cirrus Music
Dedication : Gerry Errante and Elsa Ludwig Verdehr
Year Published : 1997
Instrumentation : 2 Bb Clarinets
Potential Pedagogical Applications : Intonation (interval, unison, octave), articulation matching, ensemble mechanics, expansive range, extended techniques (quartertones), unusual meters and frequent metric shifts, three against four
Sample Recording : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t48-i27W9Yc
Where to Purchase Sheet Music : https://www.justforwinds.com/so-what-elsas-new-for-2-b-flat-clarinets
Annotation : Composed for the Michigan State Clarinet Contemporary Festival, as expected, this work employs extended techniques. Mandat employs frequent quartertones amidst the metric shifts. The work also utilizes an extensive range to Bb4 and includes many passages that are based primarily in the altissimo register. Additionally, the composer frequently puts three against four in the two parts, insisting that the players be confident in their parts and subdivide to ensure precise entrances.
