Aaron Alter

Pierrot's Moon Pie for Clarinet in B-flat, Cello and Piano is inspired by "Mondestrunken" (Moondrunk), the first movement of "Pierrot Lunaire" by Arnold Schoenberg. Although there are no direct quotes of Schoenberg's music in Pierrot's Moon Pie, the rhythmic and melodic shapes of the beginning melody in the piano part can be heard throughout the work as well as influences of "Classic" Rock music. The back story of Pierrot's Moon Pie is that the character of Pierrot is outside at night, admiring the Moon, eating a Moon Pie and celebrating the deliciousness by dancing in the moonlight.

Pierrot's Moon Pie would be a great addition to any concert program with Schoenberg's "Pierrot Lunaire."