Karel Reiner

Clarinet Concerto

The concerto for bass clarinet, string and percussion instruments represents a rather short work in three movements, on the whole transpicuous and well-arranged, with precisly defined function of both instruments, even the piano the part of which is by far not only accompanying. The sound of the work is subtle, which best answers the character of the solo bass clarinet. Its brief first part stresses rhythmic-energetic elements, but the other composition, a slow one, is intellectually the most important. Intentionally closed space, it is bringing forth dramatic tension, contrary to the looseness and playful mobility of the finale. An inspiration to these concerto compositions was the art of the bass clarinetist Josef Horák, most extraordinary in both technique and expression. They are dedicated to him. The composer was writing them in February to July 1966. In the original version, the Concerto for Bass Clarinet, Strings and Percussion Instruments was for the first time performed on 8th March 1967 during the Week of New Production in Prague (Josef Horák, the Symphonic Orchestra FOK under the baton of Jirí Stárek, recorded on a disc published by Panton). In its piano version the work was for the first time introduced on 23rd April 1967 at Witten (Germany) by Josef Horák and Emma Kovárnová (Due Boemi).