Summer Solstice for Clarinet and Strings Piano Reduction by Daniel Dorff. Presser, 1993/2017, 27 + 10 pages. This work is for clarinet in A. The composer wrote: "In 1986 I began a 'Lyric Quintet' for Clarinet and String Quartet, composing two movements of the projected three that year. . . . Coming back 6 years later with a fresh point of view, I decided this would be better for Clarinet and String Orchestra. This change to a larger string ensemble allows the thick jazz chords to be played more richly and smoothly, allows the contrasts of solo strings and tuttis, and brings the advantages of having a conductor. Having started life as intimately blended chamber music rather than a concerto, the music tends to use the clarinet as a balanced ensemble member at least as much as a soloist, and there are also many solo passages for strings. Only the third movement was originally conceived for full string orchestra, leading the final movement to have more dramatic contrasts between clarinet and strings. The music has a light, summery feel, and the friendly relationship of the clarinet to the strings somehow struck me as a solstice-like meeting point, therefore the title 'Summer Solstice.'" (C2507)