Composer

:

Michel Portal

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

3:46

Minor Waltz is a contemporary classical composition by French composer and jazz musician Michel Portal. The piece was composed in 1981 and premiered the same year. It is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 6 minutes. The piece is characterized by its use of a waltz rhythm, which is a 3/4 time signature. However, the piece is not a traditional waltz, as it is written in a minor key and has a more melancholic and introspective feel. The melody is played on the clarinet, which is Portal's primary instrument, and is accompanied by a string quartet. The piece begins with a slow and mournful introduction, with the clarinet playing a simple melody over a sustained chord from the strings. The tempo then picks up, and the waltz rhythm is introduced. The clarinet plays a more complex melody, with the strings providing a rhythmic accompaniment. The piece then alternates between sections of faster and slower tempos, with the clarinet and strings trading off melodic phrases. One of the most notable characteristics of Minor Waltz is its use of extended techniques on the clarinet. Portal employs techniques such as multiphonics, where the player produces more than one note at a time, and flutter-tonguing, where the player rapidly moves their tongue to create a fluttering sound. These techniques add a unique and experimental quality to the piece. Overall, Minor Waltz is a haunting and introspective work that showcases Portal's skill as both a composer and a performer. Its use of extended techniques and non-traditional harmonies make it a standout piece in the contemporary classical repertoire.

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