The Clarinet Quintet was written with the wonderful performers and the warm friendship of the Juilliard Quartet and the outstanding clarinetist Charles Neidich in mind. In it the clarinet follows its own musical character in contrast to that of the quartet. There are five interlocking movements with no pauses. Having written a Clarinet Concerto and five string quartets, work on this was particularly attractive. The piece was finished
October 7, 2007 in New York City.
Elliott Carter
Feb. 25,2008
"Too much time and ink have been spent talking about how challenging, rigorous and difficult Elliott Carter’s music is, and not nearly enough on how lively, vigorous and even funny it can be. The playful qualities outnumbered potential hazards...when the Juilliard String Quartet and the clarinetist Charles Neidich offered the premiere of Mr. Carter’s 'Clarinet Quintet.'"
The New York Times
