GRANT JAHN
COMPOSITION

~

UNDERGRADUATE RECITAL SERIES
KATZIN CONCERT HALL
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7TH, 2015 • 7:30

ARIZONA

STATE

UNIVERSITY

School of Music

I would like to thank all of my performers, my composition
professors, my clarinet projessors, my family, and my friends for all
of the constant support I have received and continue to receive over
the years. I could not have done all of this without you.
I

I would like to dedicate this recital to my father who passed away in
February of this year and cannot be here. Thank you for inspiring
me and making me the musician I am today. This is for you.

Grant Jahn, Composition
Recital Program

Duo for Two Clarinets
I. Chant
II. Dance
III. Reflection
Celeste Case-Ruchala and Patrick Englert, clarinets

Duo for Two Clarinets was commissioned by clarinetist Celeste
Case-Ruchala as part of her doctoral project "Clarinetrics", which
commissioned and recorded several new works for clarinet.
The work is divided into three movements. The first, "Chant"
explores quartertone dissonance and overtones in a meditative way.
The second, "Dance" employs the extended technique called demiclarinet, which uses the mouthpiece on the lower half of the clarinet.
Finally, "Reflection" is a lyrical duet between the demi-clarinet and
another extended technique called clari-flute, which removes the
mouthpiece and barrel and uses the clarinet as an end-blown flute.

Starscape
Kristi Hanno, clarinet
Emilio Vazquez, violin
Gail Novak, piano

"For you, whom I could spend eternity watching the stars with."

To Dust

Dear Sweet Child,
Sara Bruton, soprano
Gail Novak, piano

"Dear sweet child, oceans .away, be safe
brother of mine, through smoke and poisonous air, take care
bombs will fall
people too
don't let war bend you
•
don't let death break your heart
as you march through the gates of hell
daughter so young, in fire and ash fight through darkest night
bombs will fall
people too
don't let war bend you
don't let death break your heart
but above all else, keep love so close."
Text by Grant Jahn

Clarice Collins, violin
Emilio Vazquez, violin
Daniel Lorenzo, violia
Alex Duke, cello
To Dust represents a culmination of my thoughts and reflections on
death. I began the piece as a filter for the grief I was experiencing
when I was informed that my good friend's young brother, whom I
had shared many experiences with died in a tragic accident. A few
months later, a young man I attended high school with suddenly
passed away to everyone's surprise. Finally, on February 20th, 2015,
my father suddenly passed away in his sleep from a heart attack. The
piece is ultimately dedicated to him, as he was and continues to be
my main musical influence and inspiration.

The piece begins with a melodic fragment that continues to
punctuate the various textures presented. The melody begins to take
form and then resolves into a small chorale tune designed to
represent a triumph over grief, sorrow, and ultimately death.

**There will be a JO-minute intermission**
when you sat on the porch and listened to monsoon rain
In Motion
Chaz Salazar, flute
Gail Novak, piano
In Motion was written to explore the effects of juxtaposing repetitive
minimalist structures with more traditional lyrical sonata-like
passages. The flute and piano remain in almost constant motion
throughout the piece and the interplay between them builds to a
bombarding, raucous climax followed by a gentle fade-out.

Grant Jahn, piano and live electronics

***************
Out ofrespect for the performers and those audience members around you, please
tum all beepers, cell phones and watches to their silent mode. Thank you.