À Bientôt, Mes Amies: The final concert of the 2014 Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival begins with a wonderful reimagining of the suite for solo piano, Children’s Corner, by Claude Debussy. Composer David Schiff has arranged the work for clarinet quintet, and gives us the opportunity to bring what is traditionally a lonely pursuit, the individual practice of scales and arpeggios (as in the first movement of the suite, Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum), into the full light and camaraderie of the chamber ensemble. Think of it as engendering a spirit of togetherness. The work will also serve as a gentle adieu to our 2014 poster’s decidedly French theme. Pietro Bottesini is best known as the father of a composer that most of you don’t know, but with whom any classical double bassist spends much time in that lonely pursuit I mentioned earlier. Giovanni Bottesini (the son) is the most prolific composer of virtuoso music for the double bass. He is the Paganini of the low end. Here we perform the charming Andante, Theme and Variations for flute, clarinet, and string quartet by dad, Pietro. Interestingly, there is no bass to be found. Clearly, Giovanni saw a need and filled it. Finally, we end the Festival with the American masterpiece Appalachian Spring, Suite for 13 Instruments, by Aaron Copland. Its themes of community and simplicity will bring the 2014 Season to a gentle and inspired conclusion. By the way, Copland studied primarily in France. À bientôt, mes amies!

Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Arranged by David Schiff (b. 1945)

Five Pieces and a Ghost from Children’s Corner

I. Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum

II. Jimbo’s Lullaby

III. Serenade for the doll

IV. The snow is dancing

V. The little shepherd

VI. Golliwogg’s Ghost

Pietro Bottesini (1792-1874)

Andante and Variations for flute, clarinet and string quartet

Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

Appalachian Spring, Suite for 13 Instruments (1944)

Artists: Sarah Brady, Timothy Christie, Julia Gish-Salerno, Norbert Lewandowski, Christina McGann, Stephen Miahky, Philip Payton, Paul Rafanelli, Maria Sampen, Kevin Schempf, Steve Schermer, and Wei-Han Wu.