Clarinet duet miniature no. 2 - The Hunting Cat

A miniature for two clarinets. A young cat tries to sneak up some birds. His belly touches the ground as he crouches towards them, and he is singing this ‘mission impossible’ song in his head. However, it doesn’t go as planned and he scares the birds off; but not to worry, he just sings along trying to incorporate the little flaws into his song – as if it were totally planned, totally keeping his cool…Check out the other miniatures:- pastoral: http://www.youngcomp...ion?entry=42523- night murmurs: http://www.youngcomp...ion?entry=52989Clarinet duet miniature no. 2 - The Hunting Cat

Clarinet duet miniature no. 2 - The Hunting Cat

This is some nice incidental music. Sadly, I never see images whenever I listen to music.

I thought I had commented on this... I find it short, but to the point. The staccato rhythms and the light texture are very energetic and convey the image really well. The slowing down and speeding up of the tempo really contributes to the effect, in my opinion.

Thanks for your comments

I do agree that this is a bit short..

However, I enjoyed the way the music really shows the cat and the birds. A very clever idea indeed!

I also like the piece being for clarinets.... I wouldn't have thought of clarinets for a cat and birds! But it works perfectly.

I enjoyed this very much!

Keep posting!

Heklaphone

I like the way the clarinets play the sneaky, stealthy stalking of the cat, and the way the other clarinet portrays the bird's uneasiness :lol: Nicely done!

But I don't like the ending: if it were set with a scene where the ending then cuts to another scene, that may make sense, but just hearing and envisioning the scene, the abrupt ending left me unfulfilled. Why not make the piece clearly either where the cat ends up eating the bird (frightful climax), or the bird escapes (the key clearly goes "major" and resolves "nicely")? There's a sense of closure then.

But on the plus side, the piece is short (in a good way :)) and it held my attention throughout. Your articulations also really bring things to life!

Thanks for sharing, this was very enjoyable! :D

I dont think the cats adventure is done yet. In the end I figure he is thinking about what to do next, now the birds have flown away. Our cat always looks with this stupid face around when his prey has escaped him. Still laying in attackmode but with the head relaxed and with squinting eyes. I cannot possibly imagine what goes through his mind at those moments. And he does not show any sign of regret or actually any feeling at all

Wow, cool piece.

I agree that it's kinda...non-conclusive. But you know what? If you were to format it into a work that is a collection of miniatures like this, it wouldn't be a problem.

[edit]Oh, it IS a set of miniatures. Never mind. :P Glad I gave it a 10.

Well the haunting cat is not very scary, hunting would have been a better title!

I love the continuous upwards movement followed by a downwards one,

reminds me slightly of Joplins work in the imagery it creates.

But I do agree with the lack of an ending, I think you could really have fun with the ending, does he slip up and show sadness or anger, do the birds laugh at him. So many possibilities. And so much fun with the writing that could happen?

Do you think you'll update the ending ?

Nope, the haunting cat is indeed not very scary (although, why not? it could be pretty freaky if miss kittens would climb out of her grave and... but I am digressing). Good thing I named this the hunting cat. If you had read the description (which I know you don't - because you told me ;)) you would have known.

Anyway, no I am sorry, I firmly disagree on putting a definitive ending to this only for the sense of closure. I don't think it fits this piece. Nor does it fit the 3rd miniature I wrote imo, so I am still thinking about leaving it out there as well.

Joplin as in the Scott Joplin? I hope it didnt remind you too much of ragtime because it was definitely not intended that way :P