Resource
Graded Chamber Music for Woodwind, Strings and Piano
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Graded by experienced teachers, the following list of works provides an
annotated guide when searching for repertoire, especially for the NZCT
Chamber Music Contest. Most of these works have score and audio samples
available online, just click on the title to see details. All are
available for purchase from SOUNZ. | ||
TITLE | DIFFICULTY LEVEL | COMMENTS |
| TRIOS | ||
| Statham: Flora for clarinet, flute or violin, and piano | Junior (grade 4) | Slow and lazy (bluesy). An attractive introduction to ensemble playing. Piano provides flowing rhythmic support, upper parts share melodic material. More idiomatic fro flute than violin (highest note is top F) |
| Statham: Landsdown Gardens for clarinet, flute or violin, and piano | Junior (grade 4/5) | Elegant and charming single movement (Allegro Moderato). set in 5/4 time. Some tempo changes and briefly moves into 5 flats. Easier for flute than violin. Piano mostly accompanies - some wide LH stretches and a brief 3 against 2 motif. |
| Hamilton: Promat Chorus Hodie for flute, cello and piano | Advanced | Companion piece to hurdy gurdy (see below under quartets), presenting similar challenges. Strong folk music influences, vigorous strong rhythmic feel with a minimalist central section. Extended techniques (harmonics, glissandi, flutter tonguing). Rewarding. |
| Psathas: Island Songs for clarinet, cello and piano | Advanced | Colourful, atmospheric and compelling. Abounding in driving rhythms and Mediterranean folk overtones, particularly in the frenetic 3rd movement. Needs confident players with facility in rhythmic subdivision and crisp articulation. Pizzicato quadruple stopping throughout second movement. |
| Hunt: Beneath for clarinet, violin and piano | Junior | A favourite with students, the whole piece forms an extended crescendo-diminuendo. Piano maintains a rumba rhythm throughout. Great opportunity for some improvisation on melody instruments. Uses a variety of techniques (flutter-tonguing, glissando) and piano slaps. |
| Ritchie, A: Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano | Advanced | A welcome addition to the standard repertoire for this instrumentation. Soundly crafted with idiomatic writing for all instruments, tuneful and attractively textured. All movements can be used as stand-alone pieces,particularly the romping 3rd movement. Legible autograph score. |
| Biddington: Trio for Flute, Violin and Piano | Intermediate (grade 6/7) | Three contrasting movements in quasi-baroque style. (1)stately and rhythmically straightforward; (2) Largo, features a flowing arabesque passed between instruments; (3)Allegro is boisterous and rhythmically exacting. The piano writing doesn't always sit comfortably in the hand, particularly the 3rd movement. Agility is needed. |
| Biddington: Trio for Flute, Cello and piano | Intermediate (grade 5) | Three tuneful and appealing movements. Equal interest across all parts and few challenges. The piano writing is not the most idiomatic and may require some redistribution of material between the hands. (1) Allegro Moderato - fanfare character; (2) Andante - charming and limpid; (3) cheeky and full of rhythmic fun. |
QUARTETS | ||
| Norman: Bridgewater Quartet for flute, clarinet, violin and piano | Intermediate/Advanced (grade 7) | Three descriptive movements, each very well crafted and exploring different sonorities. (1) Bacchanalia - charged with a constant quaver pulse, unruly syncopations and changing time signatures. Straightforward ensemble; stamina, crisp articulation and rhythmic precision needed. Occasionally moves into 6 flats. (2) Pastorale - evocative and texturally imaginative, exploring different combinations of instruments. Good ear for intonation needed. (3) Scherzo - built on a rhythmically assertive motif. Fast and furious, culminating in a spectacular finish. |
| Hamilton: Hurdy Gurdy for flute, clarinet, violin and piano | Advanced | Terrific piece - fun to play and audience friendly. Based on an ancient hurdy gurdy tune and transcribed from a recording of medieval instruments. Strongly rhythmic, using a mixture of 2 and 3 quaver groupings. Quarter-tone note bending for woodwind. Piano part jumps around in chords. Long preparation period required. |
| McLeod: Suite: Jazz Themes for flute, saxophone, viola and piano | Intermediate/Advanced | A crown pleaser and fun to play. Five programmatic movements: Zelandia (Fast Shuffle); Chaconne; Blue Classic; Reverie; Gypso. The suite needs a jazz feel and the ensemble is tricky in places. The two slower movements are the easiest. 'Gypso' works well as a stand-alone encore piece. Autograph score. |