Review

We thank Lacey Golaszewski for her review of this publication in The Clarinet (September 2022), which reads in part:

We thank Lori Ardovino for her review of this publication in the NACWPI Journal (Spring 2022, Volume 69, Issue 3), which reads in part:

"Three Compositions, Op. 40 is a welcome addition to the clarinet and bass clarinet repertoire. The first two pieces (La Captiva and Berceuse) could be performed by an advanced high school student, grade level 3. Mazurka is more demanding but could be included with the mix. ... This is a beautiful set, skillfully arranged by Dr. Cook. I would program this work on a recital as I’m sure many other professional clarinetists would."

About the Music

Amy Cheney Beach published her Three Compositions op. 40 for violin and piano in 1898, with a subsequent version for cello and piano published in 1903. In transcribing these pieces for clarinet (Bb and A) or bass clarinet and piano, I attempted to remain faithful to both the violin and cello versions.

--David Cook

Hard Copy Edition

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Piano score: 20 pages, spiral bound; parts: 5 pages each, spiral bound. Extended-range instrument NOT required for bass clarinet part.

Listen to the arranger's own performance of the first two pieces:

About the Arranger

Critically praised for “brilliant and stunning” performances, “terrific virtuosic playing,” and “a fine sense of drama,” David Cook is Associate Professor of Clarinet and Chair of Instrumental Performance Studies at Millikin University, Principal Clarinet of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, and clarinetist for the Appian Duo (with Emily Grabinski, piano) and the Greyline Duo (with Alexandra Rodriguez, flute). Previously a member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lieurance Woodwind Quintet, and the wind quintet Fiati Five, David has also performed with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia da Camera, Northbrook Symphony Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Heartland Festival Orchestra, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Norman Philharmonic, and the Texas Music Festival Orchestra. As a chamber musician, David has performed at Chamber Music Campania, with the Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble, and with the From the Edge Chamber Music Series.

David has been recognized in numerous competitions including The American Prize for Instrumental Performance, the American Virtuoso International Music Competition, the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist Competition, the Oklahoma Community Orchestra Young Artist Competition, and the White Lake Chamber Music Festival Solo Competition. Past appearances include the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest^®, the College Music Society National Conference, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Conference, the Midwest Clinic, the American Single Reed Summit, the Amicitia Clarinet Extravaganza, the Clarinet Colloquium at Texas A&M University-Commerce, the KNOB New Music Festival, and recitals across the United States and abroad. In 2022, David’s book Clarinet Conditioning: Warm-Ups and Perspectives, featuring contributions from clarinetists including members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, was published by Conway Publications. His research appears in Clarinet, NACWPI Journal, and Instrumentalist.

David holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Central Michigan University, Master of Music degrees in clarinet performance and chamber music from the University of Michigan, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in clarinet performance and the Master of Music degree in music theory from the University of Oklahoma. His principal teachers include Suzanne Tirk, Chad Burrow, Theodore Oien, and Kennen White. David is a Buffet Crampon USA Performing Artist and a member of the Silverstein Works PRO Team, performing exclusively on Buffet Crampon clarinets and Silverstein Works ligatures.