Andrea Clearfield – Composer
Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
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TRAX (octet)

Scored for: flute, oboe, sax, bassoon, viola, bass, marimba, piano
Duration: 6 min.
Premiere: 1/02, Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, The Relâche Ensemble
For: The Relâche Ensemble
Published by: Self-published, Angelfire Press. Also available as a sax quartet and marimba quartet. Contact Andrea.
Contact Andrea Clearfield for score and parts:

Relache header

PROGRAM NOTE

TRAX is a short work based on rhythm, interval and motive that nods at different musical languages: jazz, funk, blues, baroque, romantic and atonal. The work began as a sax quartet, Sax Trax (1997) for the Diastema (France), Helikon (Holland) and Prism (US) sax quartets and later became a mallet quartet for the Battery 4 Percussion Group. TRAX was reconstructed for the Relâche Ensemble where the colors of the various instruments highlight the counterpoint and changing textures. The piece begins with pointillistic rhythms followed by a blues-like middle section featuring some improvisation. Sostenuto lines give way to soloistic passages over slowly evolving harmonies. A brief transition leads into a recapitulation of the opening material where, after a momentary loss of verve, the ensemble re-enters with renewed vigor and drives the piece to its close.

YOUTUBE

LISTEN: EXCERPTs

http://www.andreaclearfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Trax-Excerpts.mp3
http://www.andreaclearfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Trax-Excerpts.mp3

LISTEN: ENTIRE WORK

http://www.andreaclearfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Trax-Excerpts.mp3
© 2012 Andrea Clearfield

All images are excerpts from paintings by Andrea's mother, Louise Clearfield