Commissioned by Albion Clarinet Varier, a clarinet group in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. This is the first quartet with a bass clarinet in a series of Etudes d'execution transcendante.

Burlesca means "mischievous" and "naughty", and I expressed it as if a circus clown were fooling around on stage. From the middle part E, I imagined a gentle dance. Play with a voluminous and well-harmonious sound. Follow the tempo instruction for the fast part, and make sure not to play too quickly. Play lightly, grasp the sound firmly, and be careful not to become too staccato.

(Yuichi Abe)