Klarinet Archive - Posting 000238.txt from 1994/05

From: Jim Freeman <collnjim@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Elliot Carter
Date: Thu, 12 May 1994 22:07:52 -0400

On Thu, 12 May 1994, Clark W Fobes wrote:

> On Thu, 12 May 1994, Karen Noel-Bentley wrote:
>
> > A pianist asked me if Carter has written a piece for clarinet and piano.
> > In my Luyben Music catalogue, I found a listing for "Pastoral" by Carter.
> > Has anyone played this piece? Can you tell me anything about it (length?
> > level of difficulty? opinion? etc.)?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Karen
> >
> I believe that the piece you are referring to was originally written for
> English Horn and is very often played in a Viola version. As Elliot
> Carter goes, I would call this "easy listening." I am an Elliot Carer
> fan, but in a recent performance of an all Carter program I found this
> composition to be the least interesting, albeit very nice. On the same
> program a very recent solo piece for clarinet was performed by my good
> friend and colleague, Gregory Dufford, who plays with the San Francisco
> Opera Orchestra. The piece is app. 5minutes and is extremely "gymnastic".
> I am sorry that I do not recall the title of this composition. It was
> written in 1993.
>
> Another wonderful piece by Carter for the clarinet is his Duo for
> clarinet and Flute. Very tough, but musically worth the effort!
>
> Clark W Fobes
>
FYI The duo that Clark is (I think) referring to is called "Esprit
Rude/Esprit Doux". It is indeed very tough (I figured that, when I
played it, the flutist and I spent about 20 minutes PER BAR in total
rehearsal time), but a very nice view from the top.

Jim Freeman