De Alba - Trial by Fire for Unaccompanied B-flat Clarinet

Trial by Fire for Unaccompanied Bb Clarinet by Francisco Javier de Alba. Written for Taylor Stirm, the inspiration for this piece came from a discussion about our experiences in the clarinet studio at Arizona State University. “Trial by fire” is an expression used to describe a test of one’s ability to perform under pressure. As developing musicians, this can feel like a daily occurrence. Alternatively, this piece also represents one’s ability to create a safer, more inclusive environment in music by creating a space where we meet new people, engage in difficult conversations, listen to new ideas, and actively work to make our community better through our art.