Abstract
This study provides clarinet performers and pedagogues with a performance guide to the solo clarinet works of mid-20th Century French composer Henri Tomasi in hope of encouraging performance and study of these pieces. The first chapter explains the dearth of English-language literature on the clarinet compositions of Tomasi and presents the research questions. The second chapter reviews the extant literature on Tomasi, which contains primarily surface level discussions of the composer or biographical information unrelated to his clarinet compositions. The third chapter explains the methodology of the research questions, which address the form, origination, and technical, pedagogical, and fundamental issues related to performing these works on the clarinet. Chapters four through ten present the performance guide research for each piece: Concerto, Sonatine Attique, Introduction et Danse, Danse Nuptiale, Complainte du Jeune Indien, Chant Corse, and Nocturne. The author concludes that these pieces are valuable contributions to the performance and pedagogical repertoire and delineates areas for future study related to the performance and pedagogy of Tomasi’s clarinet compositions.