The Skeleton's Tango (Bb Clarinet)

A delightfully macabre tour-de-force for two advanced clarinetists, The Skeleton's Tango is a perfect selection for senior recitals and collegiate showcases. From the very first "manic" ostinato, players are plunged into a world of twisted rhythms and dark humor.

The piece opens with a biting, angular tango that demands precise articulation and rhythmic lock-step between players. A contrasting central section (Darkly Romantic) offers a respite of haunting beauty, requiring mature phrasing and control over wide intervals and timbral shifts. The work concludes with a "Bone-Rattling Frenzy"—a high-velocity chase filled with chromatic runs and altissimo fireworks that will bring audiences to their feet.