Marc Mellits is another prolific American composer, sadly little known in the UK. Hopefully that will change soon. As well as being a composer he also performs as keyboardist in his own ensemble, the Mellits Consort.
His music is performed widely in the US where he is very well established. Much of it can be described as chamber music for small to medium size ensembles and he has also written many pieces for solo instruments. The works I have listened to are marked by a vigorous energy and intensity coupled with highly expressive melodies and driving rhythms. This is no more so than in the piece I have chosen for this post which is ‘Splinter’ a reed quintet which Mellits wrote in 2014. The lineup for the quintet is oboe, soprano clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon and bass clarinet
The piece is in eight short sections or movements, each bearing the name of a particular tree. Mellits explains on his website that the splinter of the title refers to each of these movements which evoke the impact of a particular tree. It’s a nice idea of course but the music is so good that it can operate on other levels as well.
The first movement entitled ‘Scarlet Oak’ begins with a brief, quiet introduction before the pace speeds up with a series of stabbing staccato motifs often consisting of just two notes over which an arpeggio like passage floats in a higher register. The second movement is ‘Sugar Maple’ which starts with a thumping repeated rhythmic pattern on the bass clarinet and bassoon out of which a soaring melody rises in the oboe. The rhythmic pattern then transforms into a new melody led by the alto sax.
There is a complete change of mood in the next movement – ‘Linden’ – which consists of a quiet, plaintive melody led by the soprano clarinet with other instruments contributing – the mood being reminiscent of some of Aaron Copland’s music. The pace quickens slightly in the fourth movement, entitled ‘Black Ash’, which has an attractive, layered repeating melody which alters subtly in the middle section. The next movement, ‘Cherry Tree’, begins quietly before bursting into life with a series of rhythmic patterns in which the bass clarinet plays a prominent part. The movement ends with a short, quiet melodic passage.
‘River Birch’ is the next and sixth movement. The beginning is a repeat of the introduction to the first movement and Mellits develops this into an attractive, reflective melody. It starts in the lower register and then gently moves briefly into a higher register before returning to the lower register – a very tasteful and understated piece of writing. The penultimate movement is ‘Weeping Willow’ – a short piece featuring a lovely melody led by the oboe which has a similar melancholy feel to ‘Linden’; again, it’s very tasteful and understated. The piece closes with ‘Red Pine’: a forceful rhythmic pattern enters on the bass clarinet aided by the bassoon. The other instruments then intervene and play a fast paced melody based on different rhythmic patterns with the bass clarinet and bassoon in a supporting role. This then gives way to the restatement of the opening rhythmic pattern and the piece ends in this way with a crescendo.
Overall I think it’s a very satisfying piece – well balanced and full of engaging melodies and striking motifs. The blending of the instruments is also expertly done producing rich, smooth harmonies.
You will find below a vibrant performance of the piece by the Akropolis Reed Quintet. This very accomplished quintet is based in the US and, like the New Century Chamber Orchestra, they actively champion new music so hats off to both for this.
