Klarinet Archive - Posting 000149.txt from 1996/02

From: Teri Herel <Herelt@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Saint-Saens
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 1996 01:12:25 -0500

In a message dated 96-02-06 21:17:29 EST, aaholm@-----.EDU (Phil
Aaholm) writes:

>I am looking for information on the "Sonate pour Clarinette avec
>accompagnement de Piano, Op. 167" by Camille Saint-Saens. Of particular
>interest is background on its dedication to M. Perier, first performance
>and any analyses of the movements, especially the third. In advance, thank
>you very much for your assistance.
>
It was written in 1921. The dedication is to Auguste Perier (1883-1947), who
was clarinet professor at the Paris Conservatoire from 1919 to 1947, although
the piece was not written as a solos de concours.

Although I have heard and read of the third movement as being "weak", I find
it to be the most interesting part of the entire work. I find the texture of
the clarinet and piano to sound almost organ-like. Was this Saint-Saens'
intent? I also enjoy the harmonic progression of this movement. If I
remember correctly, this progression, besides being just plain gorgeous,
outlines the structure of the entire work. (I'll have to take another look,
but not just yet as two weekends ago I had the pleasure of hearing about
sixty high school renditions of the second and fourth movements for an
all-state competiton.) If anyone has a Schenkerian analysis of the sonata,
I'd love to have it! (If not, I've been meaning to do this myself.)

I am looking foward to more information on this. Teri Herel