Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra Op.110 (2009)

2+1.2.2.2/ 2.2.2.1/ timp,perc (2), hp, pno d cel, clar solo, strings

c.31'00"

I. Andante - Presto - Tempo I (listen to sample)
II. Larghissimo (listen to sample)
III. Allegro (listen to sample)

Commissioned by The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffet Crampon USA, Van Doren Paris and DANSR, Inc., The Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, The Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, The Hanson Institute for American Music of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, The Chappaqua Orchestra, The Erie Philharmonic, The North State Symphony, The River Concert Series at St. Mary's College of Maryland and the Chesapeake Orchestra, The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and The Juneau Symphony

Dedicated to Jon Manasse

First performed on November 5th, 2009 by Jon Manasse, clarinet with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Neal Gittleman, Dayton, Ohio

Published by Theodore Presser Company

Reviews:
"Clarinet piece was rare jewel - Monday's program was already strong, but a new concerto was a show-stopper...Lowell Liebermann's magnificent new clarinet concerto outshone everything else...when the Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra Op.110 by American composer Liebermann cruised to a breathless finish and the standing ovation and shouts of bravo were echoing through the hall, it seemed clear that we had heard a piece that will remain in the repertoire for decades to come....It is lyrically gorgeous, full of ravishing tunes from the opening whole-tone scales to the perpetual motion finale. The orchestra is called upon to provide a wash of ethereal textures with high bells and delicate woodwind effects. It's difficult to pick out peak moments. But the entire middle slow movement, with its sinuous, long-breathed melodies that take unexpected chromatic turns, was breathtaking."

Seth Williamson, The Roanoke Times

"...this new concerto deserves to become part of that small list of familiar clarinet concertos, along with those by Mozart, Carl Nielsen, Carl Maria von Weber and Copland. It is a thoroughly wonderful piece in every way...The opening of the piece is simply one of the most surprising and gorgeous sounds I've ever encountered, closely resembling Balinese gamelan music. Out of this rises the clarinet, emerging through the musical mist and into the bright central allegro before returning to the opening's stillness. The third movement, noted by Liebermann to have a Latin sound, is festive, grand and witty and is a fine conclusion to this piece. But it is the middle movement, all longing and bittersweet pensiveness, which is the emotional core of the work. Like the first movement, this one featured orchestral combinations of the most wonderful invention, with the solo clarinet soaring lyrically above...This concerto will be, I hope, rapidly accepted and repeatedly played by the world's orchestras. As soon as it's on a CD, I'll be the first in line to get one."

William Nesmith, The Evansville Courier-Press

"Lowell Liebermann's composition is a true masterpiece...I truly believe it to be the most beautiful, well-crafted, creative and audience-pleasing new work I have ever done. I have never seen a standing ovation of of such duration and enthusiasm before...I am certain that this work is going to be performed widely in the future."

Kyle Wiley Pickett, conductor of the Juneau Symphony,
quoted in the Chico News & Review