Klarinet Archive - Posting 000416.txt from 1997/02

From: Josias Associates <josassoc@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Bolcom clarinet concerto
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 00:57:56 -0500

On Wed, 12 Feb 1997, Gary Young wrote:

> Conrad Josias writes:
>
> "Since then [1987] I have appropriated the violin part to his [Bolcom's]
> "Graceful Ghost Concert Variations," which I have performed shamelessly on
> C clarinet (minus double stops) on a number of public occasions."
>
> Connie, do you know whether Bolcom's Three Ghost Rags (especially the
> "Graceful Ghost Rag") are available in a version for clarinet and piano?
> The "Graceful Ghost Rag" is one of the most beautiful and haunting
> (really) pieces I've ever heard.
>
Gary,

The answer to your question about whether there is a clarinet
version of the "Three Ghost Rags" is "not exactly." One of the six rags
that comprise Bolcom's "Afternoon Cakewalk" is actually "The Graceful
Ghost," but it is scored for violin, A clarinet, and piano.

This version is the prototype of the composer's "Graceful Ghost
Concert Variations," in which the violin and piano play most of the piece
(a remarkably creative expansion of the original piano rag) without the
clarinet, to be joined at the end by the clarinet, which modulates into
an interesting coda. This is the only one of the six rags in which the
clarinet does not have a full-length part (the preceding piece, for
instance, James Scott's "Frog Legs Rag," involves the Eb clarinet and piano,
without violin).

In still another version (like the "Leonore Overture No. 3") there
are only violin and piano. It is the violin part to that version that I play
on C clarinet, with a supplementary part I have arranged for a second
clarinet, when available, to cover the double stops. I have also done
the same with the ballet version of the "Graceful Ghost," which has a
real clarinet part and requires another clarinetist.

Regards,

Connie