Petite Suite for Three Disagreeable Characters

Clarinet, Viola, and Piano are an unlikely combination of instruments for a chamber work. As often happens, the music guides the composer. This piece started as a trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano. However, it soon became clear from the material that the deeper, more veiled sound of a Viola was needed.

The three movements form a narrative arc. The instruments have shifting affinities in the first movement, teasing each other in a series of dialogues. In the second movement, the hurt feelings from the discordant day are explored, which eventually boils over into a final argument in which the Clarinet and Viola gang up on the Piano, rehashing all the old slights. The Piano tries to ignore it, but eventually reacts. Finally, the Piano gets the last word.