Feller From Fortune - Swing Around This One: 4 Clarinets, Bass Clarinet, Conductor Score & Parts

Buoyant and propulsive, with the character of a traditional dance that has been sharpened and brightened. The solo opportunities breathe like a conversation between the players, while the mixed meter sections add just enough rhythmic tension to keep things from feeling predictable.

Clarinet quintets with a taste for folk repertoire and technical challenge. Suitable for upper-level high school or college groups preparing for festival performance.

• Balance the solos against the ensemble texture. Each clarinetist needs enough space to project without the full quintet drowning them out.
• Lock the rhythmic feel early in rehearsal. The transformation from jig to overture requires precision with the meter shifts, so establish the pulse before tackling individual lines.
• Let the bass clarinet anchor the harmonic foundation, especially during the mixed meter passages where upper voices might feel unmoored.

This works beautifully as a concert opener or as part of a folk-themed program pairing with other traditional arrangements. The 3:25 duration and energetic character make it ideal for festivals where you need a piece that commands attention without consuming your entire set.

• Reading mixed meter passages with confidence
• Balancing solo voice against ensemble texture
• Phrasing and articulation within a folk-based idiom
• Rhythmic precision in jig-derived material