The American Contemporary Clarinet Concertos of John Corigliano, William Bolcom, Joan Tower, and John Adams

Abstract

The clarinet concertos by John Corigliano, William Bolcom, John Adams and Joan Tower are among the most technically demanding pieces for the instrument of the last half-century. Each of the four composers utilizes a unique musical language that borrows from earlier pieces and musical styles. All four concertos also challenge the clarinetist’s ability to interpret various musical styles from contemporary and popular genres. This document outlines the form of each concerto, the various compositional languages utilized by each composer, and the popular and contemporary genres borrowed in each concerto.