Allegro Moderato: 4 Clarinets, Bass Clarinet Score & Parts

Marlatt's arrangement respects the lyrical quality of Albinoni's original oboe and strings scoring while making it genuinely playable for a high school clarinet choir. The fourth clarinet part stays comfortably below the break, which means you're not managing intonation headaches in a vulnerable register, and the Easy-Medium level doesn't sacrifice musical substance.

Graceful and unhurried. Albinoni's melodic writing floats naturally across the clarinet choir, with the homogeneous timbre of five B-flats creating a warm, blended sound that feels more like a vocal ensemble than a traditional band section. The Allegro Moderato tempo leaves room for expressive phrasing without demanding technical virtuosity.

High school clarinet players ready to move beyond full band into smaller ensemble work, particularly those with mixed levels of ability. This arrangement works equally well for a chamber group preparing for a winter or spring concert and for ensembles building foundational skills in intonation, balance, and Baroque style.

• Balance the melodic line across your first and second clarinets; the Baroque dialogue between upper voices works best when both parts sing with equal presence rather than having one dominate.
• Keep the bass clarinet line steady and resonant without rushing. The foundation this part provides anchors the whole ensemble, especially in slower harmonic movement.
• Shape phrases using dynamic contour rather than sudden attacks. Albinoni wrote for the human voice as much as instruments, so think in terms of vocal phrasing and breath.
• Match articulation across all five players in passages marked with the same style. Consistency in tonguing clarity makes the ensemble sound unified in texture.

This works beautifully as a standalone item on a chamber music or full concert program, offering a Baroque touchstone that contrasts with contemporary works or other period arrangements. Its modest length and straightforward logistics also make it a strong choice for student composers or conductors developing rehearsal planning skills.

• Baroque phrasing and legato playing in a woodwind setting
• Ensemble balance and blend across clarinet choirs
• Listening and intonation within a five-part harmonic texture
• Reading multiple independent parts and following a score
• Chamber music etiquette and interdependence