Mercilessly derided and seldom played with commitment, the alto clarinet is potentially as fine an instrument, and deserves as much attention and respect from performers, composers and instrument makers, as any other member of the clarinet family.

Seven Deadly Sins, by prominent Canadian composer Michael Purves-Smith (1945-2018), was commissioned in order to demonstrate the alto clarinet’s value and capability.  It was first performed in its original form for alto clarinet and wind ensemble in April and May 2017 in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, by the Wellington Wind Symphony.  Today’s concert marks the work’s international premiere, and is dedicated to the composer, who sadly passed away in January of this year.

The title - insightfully suggested by the composer’s wife, clarinettist Shannon Purves-Smith - provided the inspiration for the work, leading to its picturesque, programmatic style and episodic form.  After an introduction, each of the seven deadly sins - pride, lust, sloth, envy, gluttony, avarice and wrath - is portrayed in a characteristic section, with moods ranging from tortured to lighthearted, and incorporating a few homages to well-known composers.
 

Article by Matthew Fava on the Canadian Music Centre website

Tribute to Michael Purves-Smith