FRANK STEMPER, COMPOSER
Chameleon (1984)
for clarinet, string trio, and piano [15 mins.]
Commissioned by The Almont Ensemble of Los Angeles
Premiered 13 May 1984 by the Almont Ensemble in Los Angeles, California.
Subsequent performances by EARPLAY in San Francisco, Stanford University, and San Bernardino
Recorded by The Almont Ensemble on Opus One Records, Inc.
Opus 12 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 332876698
SCORE
Premiered 13 May 1984 by the Almont Ensemble in Los Angeles, California.
Subsequent performances by EARPLAY in San Francisco, Stanford University, and San Bernardino
Recorded by The Almont Ensemble on Opus One Records, Inc.
Opus 12 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 332876698
SCORE
PROGRAM NOTES:
CHAMELEON was written especially for Los Angeles’ Almont Ensemble, who premiered and recorded (Opus One Records, Inc. – S.N.121) the work. It consists of a three-part theme and six variations. Variation, in this particular music, affects all of the musical parameters (i.e. pitch, rhythm, density, shape, texture, etc.) of the theme, the spirit of which is the only consistent element throughout. Therefore, each variation contrasts drastically with the theme and with the other variations! As with the animal, this Chameleon camouflages itself significantly and desperately in order to hide within the aura of its surroundings. Musically, these surroundings are located in time as the dramatic unfolding of events, and the real CHAMELEON is nowhere to be found.
CHAMELEON was written especially for Los Angeles’ Almont Ensemble, who premiered and recorded (Opus One Records, Inc. – S.N.121) the work. It consists of a three-part theme and six variations. Variation, in this particular music, affects all of the musical parameters (i.e. pitch, rhythm, density, shape, texture, etc.) of the theme, the spirit of which is the only consistent element throughout. Therefore, each variation contrasts drastically with the theme and with the other variations! As with the animal, this Chameleon camouflages itself significantly and desperately in order to hide within the aura of its surroundings. Musically, these surroundings are located in time as the dramatic unfolding of events, and the real CHAMELEON is nowhere to be found.
PRESS NOTICE
CHAMELEON
— performed by Earplay in San Francisco
“Frank Stemper’s quintet, Chameleon, so successfully varied – or in his words “camouflaged” the elements of his theme as it was being varied, that I could not readily find its way or mine, which perfectly played into the composer’s hand, clearly executing his intentions for the music. As the best in EARPLAY’s program…”
Robert Commanday
San Francisco Post-Dispatch 5 November 1985
Commentary:
"How wonderful CHAMELEON is."
—Composer Edwin Dugger
CHAMELEON
— performed by Earplay in San Francisco
“Frank Stemper’s quintet, Chameleon, so successfully varied – or in his words “camouflaged” the elements of his theme as it was being varied, that I could not readily find its way or mine, which perfectly played into the composer’s hand, clearly executing his intentions for the music. As the best in EARPLAY’s program…”
Robert Commanday
San Francisco Post-Dispatch 5 November 1985
Commentary:
"How wonderful CHAMELEON is."
—Composer Edwin Dugger