Duos, Op. 24 Robert Muczynski

Titel / Title: Duos, Op. 24
Herausgeber / Publisher: G. Schirmer
Instrumentation: Flöte und Klarinette
Produkttyp / Product: Partitur + Stimmen
Serie / Series: Woodwind
Erscheinungsdatum / Date of Production: 1991
ISBN: 9780793509706
UPC: 73999815450

Robert Muczynski is a Polish American pianist and composer recognized for his neo-Classical works in the 20th Century. Although audiences feel his music resembles Bartok for the call and response shape or Berstein for the exuberant irregular meters, Muczynski demonstrates his own distinct character through abstract forms, simple textures, and tonal expression. His Duos for Flute and Clarinet, Op. 24 were published in 1991 as a collection of six short pieces. However, this work is an exact transcription of his duos for two flutes (Op. 34) containing all the same pieces published in 1974 with the second flute part transposed into Bb Clarinet. Movement 1, Andante Sostenuto, highlights a lyrical flute obligato floating over the slowly ascending clarinet countermelody. Movement 2, Allegro Risoluto, is a cheery mixed compound-meter dance quickly shifting from 5/8, 2/8, and 6/8 and trading the melody and accompaniment lines between each other. In the 3rd movement, Moderato, the flute and clarinet once again alternate the expressive melody between each other until dynamically peaking for one measure together. Movement 4, Allegro ma non troppo, juxtaposes unison motifs in both instruments alongside complex beat subdivisions to create an energetic passage propelling forward. Movement 5, Andante molto, is described as the most expressive in the set due to its long dotted rhythms and opportunities for both instrumentalists to move forward together as one would in a conversation. Movement 6, Allegro, carries the most energy in the form of an endless stream of accented triple- metered eighth notes that stab and step until the propel in an ascending sixteenth-note motif to the final note.