Askell Masson

3 Bagatelles

These 3 Bagatelles, for clarinet alone, by Icelandic composer Askell Masson, are a study of contrasts involving a wide range of dynamics while utilizing the full range of the clarinet.
Quest, the first Bagatelle, involves a very slow, dramatic, and interrogative musical discourse, reluctantly alternating between feelings of hope and despair.
The second, Dance, is written on a moderate and strictly continuous 2/4 tempo, embellished by rhythmical traps and virtuoso note groupings.
Meditation, the third, introduces some quarter-tones in a quiet (Andante), yet intense and exciting musical exposition.
The world premiere happened in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1991 with Einar Johannesson.