From the composer:

Autumn Tones was originally written for a course at Benslow Music led by the clarinettist Ian Mitchell, who is also director of the Gemini ensemble. Ian asked me to write a piece for a group of bass clarinettists he had there.

I very much like the dark sound of the four bass clarinets; it has a mellow and mysterious quality. I felt that this sound world was evocative of an autumnal landscape.

The piece is in two movements. “Sweet Dusk” has a chorale like texture with an emerging melody which creates a reflective, peaceful atmosphere tinged with sadness. “Leaf Swirl” features an undulating groove with a restless, searching feeling. The melody is heard in both the high and low registers of the bass clarinet through the shifting harmonic landscape; to me a reminder of dancing leaves on a blustery autumn day.

Autumn Tones features on the album “Sweet Dusk” played by Quartz Saxophone Quartet (Deux-Elles DXL 1214).

The E-Edition PDF bundle comes with a score and the following parts:

Bass Clarinet 1
Bass Clarinet 2
Bass Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet 4

Autumn Tones is also available in printed edition from June Emerson Wind Music.