Vier Schnulzen

Vier Schnulzen  for Woodwind Quintet by Viera Janarcekova

Score and parts

Duration: 34:00 total

I. Eidechse – Schnulze

II. Kobaltblaues Radchen

III. Stilleben

IV. Orpheus – Schnulze

Composer’s preface:

These four schmaltzy pieces should by no means find their way between a pedant’s tailpiece and bow, nor his mouthpiece and legs!  Anybody who wants to dry, freeze or stiffen them, should keep away!

But all those of you who love to smile, invent, emphasize, fantasize, and have fun:  why don’t you come close and try to find the right (or possible) instrumentation, make the impossible possible by invention or tiny modification – which means: by playing!  From the flute to the double-bass, anything goes, the saxophones should play pizzicato every now and then, while you hear a glissando from the violin, or the horn is played with a bow; and the bass clarinet could be at the bottom of all, or lead the pack as the first voice.  If you are less daring, try the earlier pieces first, or omit the “roll passage” in the Orpheus piece (what a pity!).  Maybe next time you’ll take you courage in both hand and dive head first into the water!

Viera Janarcekova was born in 1941 and studied music in Bratislava and Prague.  She lives near Kassel, Germany.  Since 1981 she has worked as a free-lance composer.  Beginning with traditional pieces, she has gradually developed her own experimental style and corresponding notation.  Commissioned works, awards, radio broadcasts and publication give proof of the increasing interest in Janarcekova’s music, and of the recognition it has won.