Sowash: “Claire” from Trio #9 for clarinet, cello and piano, subtitled "Five Women,

Five women who have been important to me are portrayed in my ninth trio for clarinet, cello and piano.  The third movement — the keystone of the work — depicts Jo, my wife of 43 years.  The other four depictions are of women with whom I have been friends.

The second movement is a portrait the actress Claire Slemmer.  She is interested in just about everything, spiritually ambitious, always growing in new directions, in charge of her own destiny and gifted with a great capacity for friendship.

Because she is perpetually evolving and re-inventing herself — moreso, I think, than anyone else I have known — her movement is entitled “Claire: in the process of becoming."

As I hope you’ll hear, the music I wrote ‘about’ Claire is also in the process of becoming, turning into something new, again and again, reviving, moving forward, discovering new aspects, new places to be.  Give it a listen and see if you hear it that way.

To hear “Claire” from my Trio #9 for clarinet, cello and piano, subtitled "Five Women," played by clarinetist Laurel Bennet, cellist Teresa Villani and pianist Carol Alexander, (the musicians who recorded it on my CD “Winds of May”), click here:
http://www.sowash.com/recordings/mp3/claire_becoming.mp3

To see a PDF of the score, click here:
http://www.sowash.com/recordings/mp3/claire_becoming.pdf

I'd love to know what you think about this music; reply if you're inclined.  But please don't feel that you are expected to reply.  I'm just glad to share my work in this way.

As always, feel free to forward this message to friends who might enjoy it.

Anyone can be on my little list of recipients for these mpFrees (as I call these musical emails).  To sign up, people should email me at rick@sowash.com, sending just one word:  "Yes."   I'll know what it means.