Piob Mhor Wind Quintet - Emma Arandjelovic

Piob Mhor (the Great Highland Bagpipes) Wind Quintet (flute/oboe/Bb clarinet/Bb Bass clarinet/Bassoon) by Emma Arandjelovic)

Written for flute, oboe, clarinet in B♭, bass clarinet and bassoon with a duration: 3’20’’. Aimed at the confident intermediate to advanced ensemble. The style captures film score-like qualities which Emma seems to have a beautiful ability to capture in exciting and exquisite harmonies. It is playful often, and the additional extended techniques make for an enjoyable play!

A note from the composer - This lively wind quintet takes inspiration from one of the most characteristic traditional instruments of Scotland - the Great Highland Bagpipes (known as Piob Mhor in Gaelic). Piobaireachd is a traditional form of theme and variations played on the pipes, and in my own interpretation of this unique art form I have employed a contemporary performance technique on the oboe to recreate the sound of the bagpipes, emphasising the expressive harmonic colour of the unusually tuned chanter pipe against the drone. In the variations, I have harnessed the rhythmic and energetic qualities of piobaireachd, using some of the traditional embellishments in slightly unconventional ways, for example weaving them around the melody and applying them to the drone.

Performance Notes

The oboe is required to play 20 cents sharp on selected indicated notes. This can be achieved through embouchure changes or by adding the third octave key in the case of D5.

flz. = flutter tongue (flute)

The opening should be played as freely as possible, with the Clarinettist's grace notes providing the cues to synchronise all parts. 

There are options given to circular breathe if wished a selected points but this is very much optional and is not a requirement.

This piece is also available as a digital PDF download from here: https://payhip.com/b/VcILv