Dinner for Three (2018) – scene for clarinet (dbl. bc), bassoon (dbl. cbsn), amp contrabass, glasses, electronics (20′)
*supported by an award from the Cornell Council for the Arts 2018 Biennial
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This scene for mixed trio, glasses, and electronics explores the ritual of the meal, sounds that accompany the pilgrimage, and the baggage these two facets of a dinner bring to the table. The bassist takes on the role of the host, with the bassoonist and clarinetist playing the invited guests. After an initial placesetting and invitation, the two guests make their way to the table for dinner from the edges of the stage, exploring not just their instruments but various sounds associated with glasses as well. The three share some banter and eventually the dinner begins, albeit tensely. After the meal, the two guests exit, leaving the host to clean up.
“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations.”
–from Oscar Wilde’s A Woman of No Importance
Daniel Sabzghabaei 