Ambience I: Burning

by Markku Klami

for clarinet (with optional amplification and reverb) and fixed electronics

Description

Program note

Ambience I: Burning for clarinet and fixed electronics is the first piece in series of works written for solo instrument and electronics. The series, carrying a main title "Ambience", refer to my roots in composing electronic music in my teens in late 1990's, and my affection to ambient music.

Ambience I: Burning is inspired by the concept of burning. Although burning may lead one's thoughts to fire and its destructive power, the work aims to bring out burning as an event that creates new growth.

The increased number of forest fires in recent years is a reminder of man's impact on his environment. At the same time, however, forest fires are a means of survival for various tree species, such as Giant sequoias growing in the Sierra Mountains of California. Ambience I: Burning proceeds from the terrifying destructive power of fire towards the birth of something new and beautiful.

Ambience I: Burning was commissioned by Lauri Sallinen and is dedicated to him. The commission was supported by Sibelius Fund.

– Markku Klami, July 2024

Instrumentation

cl , electr

Category

Works for Solo Instrument

Premiere

Lauri Sallinen, clarinet, Meidän Festivaali, Ainola, Järvenpää, Finland, July 29, 2024

Commisioned by / dedications

Commissioned by and dedicated to Lauri Sallinen, with support from The Sibelius Fund

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