Chiftetelli for clarinet and string quartet features melodic clarinet lines influenced by the Middle Eastern zummara’s (the clarinet’s ancient ancestor) ornamented style of playing. The pizzicato cello parts were inspired by the dombek, a traditional Middle eastern drum. The dombek produces two basic sounds: a low resonant thump and a higher, brighter sound when the edge of the drum head is sharply rapped with the fingers. Together the lyrical clarinet lines and colorful string writing creates what Ted Shen of the Chicago Tribune described as, "...an adroitly constructed compendium of tantalizing rhythmic variations." Chiftetelli was composed in 1993 and recorded by the following members of Contempo who also presented the premiere performance: Edward Gilmore, clarinet Sharon Polifrone & Theresa Fream, violins Keith Conant, viola Kim Scholes, violoncello Contempo (the University of Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players) is dedicated exclusively to the performance of contemporary classical music, is one of the oldest and most successful professional new music groups in the nation. Over its 40-year history, it has earned an enviable reputation for its outstanding performances of music by living composers and over eighty world premieres. Contempo was founded in the fall of 1964 by renowned composer and conductor Ralph Shapey. Recorded at The Chicago Recording Company, on April 3, 1995 Producer: Mark Gustavson Recording Engineer: John Ray Castellanos Cover Photo: ©istockphoto/Vladimir Piskunov Art Direction: Pamela Gurman, Fat Cat Graphics Music published by C. F. Peters, BMI This recording was funded by the Fromm Foundation