Au Quai for bassoon and viola (2002) | Compositions

Dedication: for Oliver Knussen on his 50th birthday with the greatest admiration and love
Buy Score: Hendon Music (Boosey & Hawkes)
Manuscripts: Paul Sacher Stiftung

Premiere: Jun 12, 2002/ London Sinfonietta/ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

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Au Quai clip

The title of this piece was suggested by Arnold Schoenberg’s short story “To the Wharfs” in which he describes the mounting anxiety of the members of a French fishing village as the boats and the sea-bound fisherman failed to appear after a storm and several days’ absence. When they were suddenly sighted all shouted “to the wharfs, aux quais, O.K.”

– Elliott Carter

Recordings (1)

The Music of Elliott Carter, Volume Five - Nine Compositions (1994-2002)
Bridge Records 9128 (2002)
Virgil Blackwell, bass clarinet | Charles Rosen, piano | Maureen Gallagher, viola | Speculum Musicae: Stephen Taylor, oboe; Curtis Macomber, violin; Eric Bartlett, cello (+5)