Klarinet Archive - Posting 000899.txt from 2001/09

From: "David Irwin" <irwinde@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Contra Bass Clarinet and Orchestra
Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 21:58:12 -0400

Clark, Check out the Penderecki Capriccio for Violin and Orchestra. It has
significant parts for bari sax and BBb contrabass clarinet. The part
consists primarily of skittering arpeggios which are pretty unplayable and a
big comic note of the Til Eulenspeigel variety in the middle of the waltz
parody. I played a rehearsal with Penderecki and later spoke to him of the
part. He said that the skittering passages were "just effect" and that I
shouldn't worry too much about playing every note. It wouldn't have bothered
me so much, but my friend who was playing bari WAS playing every note.

Yrs,
David Irwin

> Dear Friends,
>
> I am playing BBb Contra Bass Clarinet with the San Francisco Symphony
> this week.
> The piece is "Choral" by Oliver Knussen. It is not particularly difficult,
> but the contra part does require some sensitive playing in some soft solo
> passages. Mildly rewarding as contra parts go. Someone in the section made a
> crack about my "artistic contra playing" and I responded that "I am writing
> the book". It won't be a very long book.
>
> Joking aside, I have begun to wonder how many works there are out there
> for Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra or large ensemble (other
> than symphonic band) that require either BBb contra or EEb contra. I am also
> interested in concertos for the instrument. The only one that I know of is
> the Donald Martino Triple Concerto.>
> Here is the list that I have compiled from my own performance
> experience.
>
> Knussen "Choral" - BBb contra - large ensemble
> Schoenberg "Five Pieces for Orchestra" (Contra Bass in A!) dbls on
> clarinet
> Elliot Carter "Penthode" - fantastic! BBb contra dbls on bass
> clarinet - large ensemble
> Henze "Das Verratene Meer" -opera. BBb contra. dbls on bass clarinet
> Corigliano "Symphony No. 1" - BBb contra dbls on Eb clarinet
> Piston "Symphony No. 3". EEb contra. * there is a solo in the 2nd
> movement that requires a bass clarinet to have a low Asharp
> below low C. This is generally played on the EEb contra.
>
>
> Any additions will be greatly appreciated!
>
> Clark
>
>
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