From the composer:

Le Bonnet de Benny was commissioned by l’association Gardoise des Ami.E.S de la Clarinette (AGAC) for a concert in October 2023 in honour of Benny Goodman. I am grateful to AGAC, in particular to Nicolas and Isabelle Stimbre, for instigating and supporting the project.

Although the piece is not in any way a concert grosso, the line-up is inspired by grosso grouping, i.e. small group of soloists, “concertino” and ensemble, “ripieno”. The soloists are Eb clarinet, 2x Bb clarinets and alto clarinet. The ripieno are four groups of Bb clarinets, liable to playing antiphonally. The two bass clarinets and the contrabass clarinet provide underpinning to everything else. 

The rhythm section comprises of drum kit, percussion and double bass. They are optional, however choosing to use them means using all three – one should not be deployed alone, nor as one of two.

With the forces described as above, Le Bonnet de Benny requires a minimum of 11 clarinets, but with ripieno forces increased to 2 on a part this becomes 15, or increased to 4 on part, this becomes 23 clarinets.