Impromptu núm. 9a

The extensive chamber output of Francisco Fleta Polo includes different works entitled Impromptu, Capricho and Fantasia, and all of them reflect the same motivation: works written from top to tail, just as they emerge, with no other intention than to provide an outlet for the writer’s need to create music for the instrumental combination he has before him, and above all to satisfy the musicians to whom it is dedicated.
Most of the more than twenty impromptus from Fleta’s repertoire are dedicated to string instruments, but in this case the main protagonist is the clarinet. Chamber work, however, is a priority and when the musician sits down at the piano he will notice straight away that the work has been devised for both players to enjoy the music. Piano and clarinet speak to each other and their voices combine in a lovely, spirited “musical moment”. The two instruments are given equal ranking, without either of them being allowed to take on the role of soloist, although in some passages there is certain agreed intention to let the clarinet shine. Though not a virtuoso work, it is still very demanding. The first part of the work —which starts with just the clarinet— creates a restless harmonic climate with many chromatic nuances. The second part, in contrast, is very rhythmic and features an element of perpetual movement that defines the intense, energetic nature of the work.

David Puertas