Humphrey Clucas: Suite for Double Bass & Piano

About the Composition

A six-movement suite which is tonal, approachable, lyrical, inventive and with much to enjoy. Beautifully written in the orchestral register and aimed at the intermediate bassist, each short movement has a strong and confident character, encompassing a number of dance styles and idioms. The piano accompaniments are colourful, melodic and supportive.

This edition is only available in orchestral tuning.

Table of Contents

1. Prelude is a brief introduction to the suite and the interest is mainly in the arpeggio-like accompaniment.

2. Valse has the essence of a French cabaret song where the Gallic atmosphere is encapsulated in a lyrical solo line set against a moving and syncopated accompaniment,

3. Gavotte-Musette is a stately dance-inspired movement where the musette is accompanied by bare fifths in the accompaniment, framed between an elegant and stylish gavotte.

4. Chanson has a beautifully legato melody, demonstrating the lyrical possibilities of the double bass in its lower register.

5. Diablerie literally means a piece of devilment, and has forward momentum and drama with a sinister atmosphere prevailing throughout.

6. Berceuse is a beautiful lullaby, with the ghost of a melody, contrasting a lilting accompaniment which creates the gentle rocking of a cradle.

About the Composer

Humphrey Clucas was born in 1941 and read English at King's College, Cambridge, where he was also a Choral Scholar. Having taught English for twenty-seven years he subsequently became a Lay Vicar at Westminster Abbey but is now retired.

As a composer he is self-taught, and although he is well-known for a set of Anglican Responses written as an undergraduate, almost all his serious music has been written over the last twenty-five years.

He has a growing reputation as a choral composer and has produced an impressive and steady stream of choral works, both sacred and secular, alongside much instrumental music. He has written works for Cathedrals in Chichester, Guildford, Salisbury and Winchester, as well as for King's College, Cambridge, Southwell Minster and Westminster Abbey.