Klarinet Archive - Posting 000050.txt from 1999/12

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 18:13:05 -0500

> Hi everyone,
> I just wanted to say that I'm new to this list, and i think i've
> learned alot
> by reading it the past week.

Welcome, and we are glad to have you here....

I just ordered Premiere Rhapsodie
> by debussy
> and i was wondering If i could have some opinions on it. I
> haven't seen it
> yet but i heard it was interesting solo, and i wanted to play something
> different than the mozart solos i've been playing for the last
> few years.
> Has anyone played this?
> Do you consider it more difficult than Mozarts Clarinet Concerto?
> Is there anything in particular I can do to make it sound as nice
> as possible?
>
> Thank you all so much,
> Leigh-Anne
> 11th grade clarinet player

I consider the Debussy one of the hardest solos in the entire literature.
For that matter, I also consider it one of my favorites. Technically, there
are some difficult runs throughout it. Musically, you need to have control
in all dynamics and registers. Crescendo and subito pianos over periods of
a beat or so... If you are willing to put in the time, it will be a very
rewarding piece.

There are numerous recordings of it out there. Listen to as many as you
can. If you can find one with orchestra, it is a worthwhile experience. A
few years ago, Frank Cohen recorded it with Cleveland under Boulez (DG CD
G2-39896). Not my favorite performance of the clarinet part, but the
orchestra is fantastic.

If you would like to try some French music, there is a lot out there that
isn't quite as hard, but is still worth the time to learn. The Poulenc
Sonata or Gabaye Sonata jumps to mind right away. Also, there is 70+ years
(?) of the Paris conservatory contest pieces out there just waiting to be
learned...

Good luck!

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
benmaas@-----.com
http://www.fifthcircle.com

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