Rob Hall

Close Encounters

Close Encounters for Bb Clarinet & Piano draws on historic themes connected to the medieval closes (also know as wynds or vennels) of the Scottish burgh town of Lanark, situated in the rural Clyde Valley. Often named after prominent resident business owners, these otherwise unremarkable narrow lanes are given life by the records of their occupiers or through local tales. Aside from the more self explanatory titles, Luminare describes the astronomical interests of electrical pioneer David Hunter; Jumbo Jive relates to the legend of an inebriated circus elephant escapee who became stuck in the arch of Wide Close; Amber Sky connects the India Ale trade of Brewery Close with an occasional, evocative dusk light that cloaks the town before sunset. Suitable for intermediate to advanced clarinettists. Cover painting by Ronnie Cruwys www.drawingthestreet.co.uk Paul Harris writes: "Close Encounters comprises five fascinating and contrasted short movements each set within its own very vivid sound world. The colourful harmonic language is drawn from a number of musical influences including flavours of Jazz, the silver screen and the French impressionists, all adding up to music that is both engaging to play and to listen to. The five movements are set at a comfortable technical level for the intermediate to advanced clarinettist, cover the entire range of the instrument, and the set would make for an intriguing addition to any clarinet recital."