| Product Number | 8939* |
|---|---|
| Composer/Arranger | Ruehr, Elena |
| Voicing & Instruments | Bb Clarinet and String Quartet |
| Difficulty | Moderately Difficult |
| Popular Instrumental Searches | Female Composer |
| Duration | 11:00 |
| Reviews | This engaging and challenging work musically depicts the famous Greek tale of Icarus, who built wings of wax and feathers which then melted when he flew too close to the sun. Written for Jon Manasse and the Borromeo Quartet in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, this eleven-minute work is packed with fluttering excitement in the strings and soaring melodies in the clarinet. Ultimately Icarus falls to the earth when his wings melt, hence the sorrowful ending of the work, but the music centers much more on the excitement of building them and the amazing thrill of flying. While this composition is much more concise than the famous clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms, it is a worthy addition to the rich heritage of works for this combination of instruments. In the short 4.5 minutes, this quartet goes from a vertical pizzicato texture to a warm legato. The work includes double stops in all parts-mostly fifths or one open string. The rhythms are very straightforward and clearly aligned in all parts. This quartet is a great piece to work on the melodic and harmonic passages and communicating as the parts are passed from one instrument to the next. This is a beautiful work, and I hope you give it a listen! This engaging and challenging work musically depicts the famous Greek tale of Icarus, who built wings of wax and feathers which then melted when he flew too close to the sun. Written for Jon Manasse and the Borromeo Quartet in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, this eleven-minute work is packed with fluttering excitement in the strings and soaring melodies in the clarinet. Ultimately Icarus falls to the earth when his wings melt, hence the sorrowful ending of the work, but the music centers much more on the excitement of building them and the amazing thrill of flying. While this composition is much more concise than the famous clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms, it is a worthy addition to the rich heritage of works for this combination of instruments. In the short 4.5 minutes, this quartet goes from a vertical pizzicato texture to a warm legato. The work includes double stops in all parts-mostly fifths or one open string. The rhythms are very straightforward and clearly aligned in all parts. This quartet is a great piece to work on the melodic and harmonic passages and communicating as the parts are passed from one instrument to the next. This is a beautiful work, and I hope you give it a listen!—American String Teacher, May 2025 |
| Publisher | E. C. Schirmer Music Company |
Icarus works with his father to make wings of wax and feathers to escape Crete. When Icarus flies too close to the sun, the wings melt, and he falls. Although the story has a dark ending, the music centers on the excitement of building the wings and the danger of flying.