Fugue in Blue for Clarinet Quartet

Fugue in Blue for Clarinet Quartet by Hugh Levey

4 Bb Clarinets or 3 Bb Clarinet and Bass Clarinet

Fugue in Blue started out as a Clarinet Trio called Jazz Fughetta, indicating that it was a

simple fugue in a jazz style, but without the formality of a fully worked out fugue. In this

rewritten Clarinet Quartet version, the first three voices enter fugally with the second

beginning on the dominant and the third back in the tonic. After a contrapuntal interlude

based on the opening rhythms, the fourth voice enters on the sub-dominant.

The original work was a student composition exercise, combining a conventional classical

form (fugue) with a syncopated jazz style. Many years later it has been reworked in swing

style with a more laid back feel and some more inventive harmony and jazz articulation.

Of course, it has also had a fourth part added to create the clarinet quartet that is

published here.

The work is well suited to recital programmes, as a light-hearted opener or relaxed

interlude in a more serious concert. It is also suited to younger players who wish to

combine the discipline of ‘classical’ chamber music while learning about jazz articulation,

such as falls and short notes at the ends of phrases.