Marsden Moor

Marsden Moor Clarinet Ensemble (Eb Clarinet, 3Bb Clarinets, Bb or Alto Clarinet, Alto Clarinet, Alto or Bass Clarinet, 2 Bass Clarinets, Contrabass Clarinet.) Written to evoke the open spaces, serenity and yet power of the Moors, Marsden Moor is based on a motif built from two major seconds a fourth apart. The motif is develped and imitated as the pieces progresses giving a rather solitary feeling to the music. A second themes carries the journey until a sequential progression lifts the music to a dignified but powerful climax. When the music appears to resolve to a more relaxed tonality the second theme carries it off modally to reiterate the power which gradually diesaway to leave the landscape intact and silent again. Written originally for String Orchestra, the work is available for Clarinet Choir, Brass Ensemble, and Brass Band the wind versions are particularly effective in describing this landscape.