NORTON - TRIO FOR CLARINET/BASSOON/PIANO

The Trio for Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano was written in 2012 at the request of Geoff Colmer, bassoon player for the Horizon Ensemble (Katie Cannel - clarinet, Geoff Colmer - bassoon and Mary Cotes - piano). The 1st movement, A Day Out, sounds like an "outdoor" piece and is easy-going and tuneful, with a number of themes vying for attention, particularly the opening theme and the lyrical second. These musical elements are stirred about in various ways, including a striking syncopated figure. A development section leads via scalic figures to canonic figures and a varied restatement, which includes a heroic version of the second main theme.

An Interlude is a soulful piece, with a declamatory piano introduction leading to a big tune on bassoon, in the tenor register, with the clarinet then taking up the melody. A second section keeps the contemplative mood going and includes a passage for clarinet and bassoon alone. A restatement follows, in a loose canon between bassoon and clarinet. A coda gently lets the music wend its way out, with a final reference to the big tune right at the end.

A Breezy Day is a gently upbeat piece, with 6/8 and 5/8 featured, 5/8 probably being declared the winner. There are extrovert scale passages, syncopated rhythmic passages and the overall effect is light and airy, maybe even a bit breezy.