Two Grotesque Scenes

Two Grotesque Scenes is an 18 minute, two movement musical composition for Clarinet in B flat, Violin, and Cello composed by the author. The present paper will explore its key concerns, which include dichotomies such as repetition vs. non-repetition, sound vs. silence, pulsed vs. non-pulsed rhythms, melody and accompaniment vs. gestural/contrapuntal textures, and 12-tone serial pitch material vs. pitch material derived from unordered pitch class sets. Additional concerns, including a dramatic, often counterintuitive approach to form will also be discussed. The paper will first provide aesthetic context for the work by exploring its influences, primarily including avant-garde rock and post-serial styles. It will then engage in an in-depth analysis of both movements, including technical discussions of approaches to pitch derivation, phrasing, rhythm, and structure, relative to the piece's goals and influences