Composer

:

Michael Jarrell

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

1989

Average_duration

:

9:58

Assonance III is a contemporary classical composition by Swiss composer Michael Jarrell. It was composed in 2003 and premiered on March 6, 2004, at the Musée d'art et d'histoire in Geneva, Switzerland. The piece is written for a chamber ensemble consisting of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. Assonance III is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked "Lent," is slow and contemplative, with long, sustained notes and a sense of introspection. The second movement, marked "Vif," is fast and energetic, with rapid, virtuosic passages and a sense of urgency. The third movement, marked "Lent," returns to the slower, more contemplative mood of the first movement, but with a greater sense of tension and unease. One of the defining characteristics of Assonance III is its use of assonance, a literary device in which the repetition of vowel sounds creates a sense of unity and coherence. In the piece, Jarrell uses assonance to create a sense of continuity and connection between the different movements, as well as within each individual movement. Another notable characteristic of Assonance III is its use of extended techniques, particularly in the wind and string instruments. The flute and clarinet, for example, use a variety of breathy and percussive sounds, while the violin and cello use techniques such as harmonics and glissandi to create unusual timbres and textures. Overall, Assonance III is a complex and challenging work that showcases Jarrell's skill as a composer and his ability to create a sense of unity and coherence through the use of literary and musical devices.

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