Song Without Words for Clarinet and Piano was originally composed for cello and piano in March 2000. It was an entry for a competition seeking pieces up to two minutes in length. Due to its popularity, it was subsequently re-arranged for other instruments. The version for B-flat clarinet contains some different notes compared to the original cello version. The piece is in G major and is in ternary form. A warm and approachable melody is set over rich, thick harmonies reminiscent of German Romanticism. Perhaps owing to the melody's pentatonic basis, a sense of Japanese lyricism is evoked. The middle section is in E minor, marked poco più mosso. The dialogue and duet between the solo instrument and piano are performed with refreshing exhilaration. In the recapitulation, the piano takes over the opening melody, and after an intimate dialogue with the solo instrument, the piece quietly concludes.

This commentary was produced with the support of the ROHM Music Foundation.