Alex Shapiro, composer: Water Voyages

Water Voyages

(Bb Clarinet, Bassoon, and Electronic soundscape).
Total duration 9:40; (2018)
Published by Activist Music LLC (ASCAP).
One movement work. 17 pages, 8.5" x 11".

This piece is adaptable; most woodwind pairings will work, and a version clarinet and French horn will be available Fall 2023.

Audio clip from the concert premiere, peformed by
Sue Collado, clarinet and Pat Nelson, bassoon.

Also available as:

Water Voyage

(Bb Clarinet Duet and Electronic soundscape).
Total duration 9:40.
Published by Activist Music LLC (ASCAP).
One movement work. 13 pages, 8.5" x 11".

Audio clip from a live concert peformed by
F. Gerard Errante and D Gause.

Water Crossing

(Bb Clarinet and Electronic soundscape).
Total duration 9:40; (2002)
Published by Activist Music LLC (ASCAP).
Commissioned in 2002 by F. Gerard Errante.
One movement work. 10 pages, 8.5" x 11".

Water Crossing is also available for flugelhorn, and works well for other solo instruments.

Listen to an audio clip of Water Voyages

View pages of the score to Water Voyage
Watch
Purchase the score and audio track Score and audio track available from Activist Music: $30.00 print; $21.00 digital.

Water Voyages began life for a soloist, in a piece called Water Crossing that was commissioned by clarinetist F. Gerard Errante. When Gerry told me of his friendship with clarinetist D Gause and their duet recitals together, it seemed natural to create a second part. Years later, clarinetist Sue Collado thought it would be a beautiful piece to perform with bassoon, and I entirely agreed.

Years ago Gerry told me of his canoe, tied up at the dock by his house on the Virginia coastline. The thought of it waiting there for him made me imagine a beautiful journey beginning in still, lake-like waters. During this mythical voyage, the canoe gradually morphs into a sailboat entering the open ocean, with dolphins dancing ahead of the bow. By the end of the piece we've returned safely to shore, invigorated and peaceful. With this version of the music, there are now two happy adventurers in the canoe.

The premiere recording of the solo clarinet version of this piece, Water Crossing, is featured on F. Gerard Errante's 2010 CD, Delicate Balance, on Aucourant Records Aurec 1001. Click CD for more info.

Italian clarinetist Gianluca Campagnolo recorded the solo clarinet version of this piece, Water Crossing, for his 2015 CD, Atmospheres, on Taukay Edizioni Musicali TAUKAY 160. Click CD for more info.

"...slowly-changing textures underscoring a pan-diatonic world with extended, expressive clarinet lines."

— Thomas Dempster, SEAMUS Magazine, July 2010

"...The adventurous composition, [Water Crossing], finds Gerrante's clarinet fluidly weaving through passages alternating between peaceful splendour and dramatic portent. "

— Textura Magazine, January 2011

Email Alex for the access code
to download a perusal score!

Enjoy this video of
the April 2018 premiere performance of WATER VOYAGES,
featuring Alex Shapiro's nature photographs
from her home on San Juan Island, WA.
Performed by Sue Collado, clarinet, and Pat Nelson, bassoon.

Enjoy this video of clarinettist Jeff Gallagher
performing the solo clarinet version
of WATER VOYAGES, titled WATER CROSSING,
on March 20, 2016 in Santa Cruz, CA:

Water Voyage, page 5

Water Voyage, page 10