Sonata for Clarinet, Mvt. III: Sehr langsam

Sonata for Clarinet
Mvt III: Sehr langsam
by Paul Hindemith
recorded April 17th, 2011

Featuring:
Trevor K. Ousey, Clarinet
Soojin Joo, Piano

From the program notes:

After fleeing Nazi controlled Germany in 1935, Paul Hindemith took on an ambitious plan to write a sonata for every instrument in general use. In 1939, he wrote six of these sonatas including one for clarinet and piano. Hindemith understood each instrument at an exceptional level, and through his sonata project, he re-explored each instrument's character, background, and expressive capabilities. In 1940, Hindemith settled in the United States and continued composing as a visiting professor at Yale University.

The clarinet sonata has not received as much popularity as its substance deserves, because the work requires more in the way of musical intelligence than of mere technique. The sonata is in four movements. Mässig bewegt ("Moderately") is based on a series of motives, of which the opening motif serves as substance for the other movements. Lebhaft ("Lively") is a brief, quick scherzo-like movement with a lot of syncopation and rhythmic displacement between the piano and clarinet. Sehr langsam ("Very slowly") represents Hindemith at his darkest moments while in exile and features the original motive in a tumultuous setting. The final movement's character is made clear in the title Kleines Rondo, gemächlich ("Little Rondo, leisurely") and features a light dialogue between the piano and clarinet before coming to slightly humorous ending, not expected by any listener.

About the performers:

A native of South Korea, Soojin Joo began her musical studies at the age of five. She is a graduate of the Seoul National University, where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in piano. She has also earned a Masters degree from the Jacobs School of Music under the guidance of Emile Naoumoff. Currently, Soojin is working on a Performance Diploma degree at IU, where she also holds an associate instructorship post. Along with her piano performance as a soloist, she has had the opportunity to receive coaching from clarinet professor James Campbell for over two years, and specializes her collaborative work in woodwind repertoire. This has given Soojin the opportunity to play as a collaborative pianist for over 30 recitals during the last two years.