Under Exclusivity until Dec. 2024

Duration: 5 minutes

Instrumentation:  Clarinet Duet

Link to Live Premiere: Performed by Amanda Morrison and Lynda Dembowski on Mar. 8, 2024 at the Eighth International Music by Women Festival

Program Notes

Oftentimes in life we are faced with change. Old structures no longer work, and we feel as if we are struggling against the current. This piece is about shifting the normal or accepted way of thinking and overcoming a difficult situation.  The first movement, Torrent, depicts a struggle, with feelings of going in opposite directions. Evoking a torrent, or flood, the music moves up and down in opposite directions, one voice always trying to overcome the other. The second movement, Equilibrium, is about rediscovering your interests and finding balance. The music shifts between major and minor intervals, legato and staccato, and fast and slow passages.  The third movement, Breakaway, depicts acceptance and processing of a change, and breaking free from your struggle. The music is rhythmic, hypnotic and repetitive. Slight variations and new motives depict the attempts to breakaway and find a new path.

Paradigm Shift was commissioned by a consortium of clarinetists in 2024. Consortium members include:

Amanda Morrison and Lynda Dembrowski, Lead Commissioners 

Laura McLaughlin and Rosemary Engelstad, Duo LaRo

Amy Guffey, Kansas State University

Julieta Ugartemendia, ECpBA (Ensamble de Clarinetes de la Provincia de Buenos Aires)

Kira Bokalders and Ryan Leonard, Duello Clarino

Jennifer Tscheulin, Morgan State University

Robert Dilutis, Salon Trio

Jennifer Everhart, Baltimore/Washington DC Musician