Call for Scores!!
June 2017-March 2018
The idea of launching a “Call for Scores” originated in the spring of 2017 during a conversation with Martina Taubenberger, a German cultural project manager, at the Bern University of the Arts (Hochschule der Künste Bern).
Contemporary composers are often reluctant to write for clarinet quartet, as they may perceive limited opportunities for innovation within this ensemble format. The central question behind the project was therefore: “What new possibilities and sources of inspiration can a clarinet quartet offer composers today?”
Inspired by this idea, Quatuor Chouette was delighted to bring the project to life.
Between June and October 2017, numerous composers from Italy and Germany enthusiastically took part in the initiative. By the end of the submission period, Quatuor Chouette had received around ten new works for clarinet quartet. Many of the proposed instrumentations were highly original: some composers wrote for ensembles including two bass clarinets, others featured two E-flat clarinets, while several explored instrument doubling. The spatial arrangement of the ensemble was also reimagined; one composition, for example, was designed to be performed with the musicians positioned at the four corners of the audience, creating a surround-sound effect.
On 17 March 2018, the final event of the “Call for Scores” project took place in Milan, featuring an interactive workshop followed by a concert during which the selected works received their world premieres.
The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for exchange among composers, professional musicians, amateur performers, and music enthusiasts of all backgrounds, regardless of their level of musical training. Over the course of ninety minutes, participants engaged in lively discussions, sharing questions, ideas, and perspectives in an open and inspiring atmosphere.
The selected pieces for the final concert were:
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Quartetto by Filippo Bianchi
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Anamorfico by Sergio Lanza
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Adamello and Ebano by Andrea Vezzoli
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Alea & Ludus by Alessandro Boratti
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Klarinettenquartett (1st and 3rd movement) by Frank Zabel
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4 Bagatelle (4th Bagatella) by Matteo Rigotti
During the concert
Andrea Vezzoli
Alessandro Boratti
Matteo Rigotti
Sergio Lanza
Filippo Bianchi
Some composer's feedbacks....
"Grazie mille a tutte voi,
Innanzitutto per l’idea della Call for Scores e poi per la sua realizzazione.
Professionalità, passione, competenza: credo siano queste le cose che vi caratterizzano.
Mettersi in gioco non è mai facile, sia come compositori sia come musicisti quindi tanti complimenti ancora per questo bellissimo evento e la sua ottima riuscita."
Matteo Rigotti
"Grazie a voi per aver impiegato il vostro tempo e le vostre energie in tutto questo. E' stato un bellissimo evento, sono veramente contento di averne preso parte. Avete dimostrato molta sensibilità e versatilità nel proporre un repertorio così vasto e differenziato (oltre che - posso dirlo? - bello!). Grazie per aver avuto voglia di affrontare con curiosità anche territori distanti da quelli a cui siete abituate."
Alessandro Boratti