Carl Fischer Bitter Suite - Bresnick - Bb Clarinet/Piano - Sheet Music

Composer: Martin Bresnick
Editor: Lloyd Van't Hoff
Format: Sheet Music
Instrumentation: Bb Clarinet and Piano

This work for violin and piano by Martin Bresnick is a play on the words "suite" and "bittersweet." Each of the four movements is based on a Yiddish folk song, which in English translate to On the Road, My Resting Place, Black Cat, and Dona, Dona. Each of the four pieces is primarily based on a Jewish folk song, but re-envisions them in a modern context, akin to Bartok and Kodaly. The composer noted, "I found it a very challenging, yet touching way to remain in contact with some part of my own past that I don't usually reveal." The title references the difficult (bitter) and pleasant (sweet) aspects of experiencing the tumultuous history of a people through their folk music.

Movements:

• Oyfn Veg (On the Road)
• Mayn Rue Plats (My Resting Place)
• Chorny Kot/Shvartse Kats (Black Cat)
• Dona, Dona