Charles Villiers Stanford: Three Intermezzi for clarinet and piano, op. 13

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) wrote four major works for clarinet. In 1902 the Concerto for clarinet, op.80 was composed and dedicated to Richard Mühlfeld. It was later withdrawn although in recent years it has gained a toehold in the repertoire. Around 1912 he produced his Sonata for clarinet (or viola), op.129 which was published in 1918. The two Fantasies for clarinet and string quartet date from the early nineteen-twenties. Other examples of Stanford’s chamber music include the clarinet as one of the instruments such as the Serenade in F major (Nonet) op.95 (c.1906).

The present Three Intermezzi for clarinet and piano, op.13 predates all these works by more than 20 years. The dedicatee was Francis William Galpin (1858-1945) who later became a well-regarded clergyman, musicologist, and antiquarian. He specialised in the study of old musical instruments. As an undergraduate at Trinity, he studied organ under Robert Sterndale Bennett (1847-1928) and was librarian of the Cambridge University Musical Society. Galpin was also a competent clarinettist. The Three Intermezzi were premiered on 18 February 1880 at a Society concert.

All three movements are written in ternary form and have contrasting ‘trio sections.’ The first intermezzi is a reflective andante espressivo with a livelier leggerio middle section before the return of the thoughtful opening melody. The second begins with an ‘agitated’ theme, before a tranquillo mood takes hold. The final intermezzo opens with a playful allegro scherzando in C minor. The mood changes as the music moves to C major with arpeggiated piano chords against a lovely melody. The piece concludes in good humour after a brief backward glance to the quieter music.

The Three Intermezzi were originally conceived for clarinet and piano but were also arranged for solo violin as well as cello. All are equally effective, although there is no doubt that the composer had a strong affinity with the clarinet.

Until 1879, the intermezzo form typically applied to piano pieces and Stanford would appear to have been the first composer to write an example for the clarinet.

It is conventional to suggest that Johannes Brahms is 'not far away' from these pieces. However, Stanford’s work predated Brahms’s two Clarinet Sonatas, op.120 nos.1 & 2 (1894) and his Clarinet Quintet, op.115 and Trio, op.114 composed in 1891. Other exemplars may include Robert Schumann’s Romances for Oboe and Piano, op.94 No.1&2 (1849) and possibly the Drei Fantasiestücke op. 73 (1849) for clarinet and piano.

There is a magic about the Three Intermezzi that must be recognised as Stanford's own. Although these pieces are not 'Irish' in feel, the wit and the charm of the Dublin-born composer is never far away.

Listen to the Three Intermezzi on YouTube, here. Robert Plane (clarinet) and Benjamin Frith (piano) are the soloists. 

With thanks to the English Music Festival, where this note was first published.