Klarinet Archive - Posting 000945.txt from 1998/02

From: Labadorf@-----.com
Subj: Re: companion piece to 'Pierrot Lunaire"?
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 10:12:10 -0500

Karen,

You should consider some works presented by Schoenberg's "Society for Private
Musical Performances." This Society was established in 1918, organized by
Schoenberg, Berg and Webern, and its main goal was to present multiple
performances of contemporary music of various composers. It was a low budget
operation and could only program small chamber works. Consequently, chamber
settings of large orchestral works were transcribed just for these concerts
(many of these works are available on rental basis from Belmont Music in
California). Pierre Lunaire was premiered on one of these concerts (Victor
Polechek was the clarinetist).

The instrumentation for these works were generally: vln I, vln II, vla, vc,
cb (one player each) 3 or 4 various winds (depending on the piece), piano and
harmonium. Some works you might want to consider:

Mahler, Songs of a Wayfarer
Mahler, Songs of the Earth (A CD recording of this version may still be
available)
Debussy, Prelude to 'Afternoon of a Faun'

Other transcriptions for the "B Series" (these were lighter works open to the
public for fund raising) included some Johann Strauss Waltzes, Bruckner
Seventh Sym. and various other pieces.

These transcriptions were either prepared by Schoenberg or other Society
members under Schoenberg's supervision. They are very well orchestrated, and
as chamber music are not compromises to the original.

If you want to know more about the Society, you should read a dissertation by
Judith Meibach, _Schoenberg's "Society for Musical Private Performances,"
Vienna 1918-1922 - A Documentary Study_ presented to Univerity of Pittsburg in
1984 (University Microfilms) This is an excellent resource containing not
only history, but a list of every program presented by the Society, a list of
performers (interpreters) and an extensive bibliography (I hope you can read
German!) The dissertation itself is in English.

Let me know if you are interested, and I can dig for the publisher and
address.

Good luck.

Tom Labadorf
Clarinetist, U. S. Coast Guard Band
Adjunct Instructor, Connecticut College, New London CT
Adjunct Instructor, Hartt College of Music, Community Division
Labadorf@-----.com

In a message dated 2/25/98 1:53:42 PM, you wrote:

<<A performing group I am in is performing Pierrot Lunaire (Schoenberg) next
season, but we need to fill out the rest of the program. What would be an
interesting companion piece (or 2) to schedule with this? I'm looking for
about 30-40 minutes of music that will gently lead the audience into the
world of Schoenberg (a friend suggested something by George Crumb). I'm
looking to keep to 6-8 performers.

I have enjoyed the list's repertoire suggestions to other members in the
past and hope you can help me out, too. Thanks!

Karen Sandene
Third Chair Chamber Players
Lincoln, NE
>>