Work : China Journal, Op. 152
Composer : Michael Kibbe http://www.michaelkibbe.com/bio/index.html
Difficulty Ranking : IV
Publisher: Woodwindiana, Inc. http://store.woodwindiana.com/index.html
Year Written : 1995
Instrumentation : 4 Bb Clarinets
Potential Pedagogical Applications : Intonation (octave, unison), pentatonic scale, articulation matching, blend and tone production, expansive range to G6
Sample Recording :
Where to Purchase Sheet Music : http://store.woodwindiana.com/mikichjoop15.html
Annotation : This work contains four unique movements, each depicting a different vignette of China. The melodic content is heavily based on the pentatonic scale and each part has opportunities to lead making the work ideal for young ensembles learning the basics of communicating in a chamber ensemble. The first clarinet part is the most challenging of the four and has the most independent writing. The work offers some rhythmic challenges, but these rhythms are usually played by one part and then repeated in other voices.