Sonata No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op.45 - Bass Clarinet and Piano

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn's first cello sonata, composed in 1838, is an expressive three-movement work with a duration of about 25 minutes. In the tradition of the era, the sonata is true chamber music, with the two performers on equal footing in terms of both expression and technical challenge. Alea is pleased to present this excellent transcription of the work for bass clarinet and piano.

This transcription is dedicated to Chicago Symphony Orchestra bass clarinetist J. Lawrie Bloom, whose suggestion led directly to this publication. Mr. Bloom drew inspiration from performances of the Sonata by bass clarinet virtuoso Dennis Smylie.

The transcription retains the original key of B-flat Major, so it works well for both the bass clarinetist and the pianist. The written range for the bass clarinet is from low D to altissimo E. While the low D's are needed to maintain the original range, this piece could also be played on a low E-flat instrument with a few octave changes. Piano score: 59 pages, spiral bound; part: 13 pages, spiral bound.

About the Arranger

Andrew Sprung is second clarinetist of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra (Traverse City, Michigan) and adjunct instructor of clarinet at Spring Arbor University and Hillsdale College. He maintains a private studio of 35+ high school, middle school, and adult amateur clarinetists and bass clarinetists.

He has performed with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Ballet, Windsor (Canada) Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Light Music Theatre, and others. He holds a D.M.A. degree from Michigan State University, M.M. from Bowling Green State University, and B.A. from Iowa State University. He is a Selmer Paris artist.