Klarinet Archive - Posting 000063.txt from 2002/01

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fbjacobo@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Trio: 3 or 5 mvts? 10 or 15 minutes?
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 10:01:17 -0500

Bear,
I don't think the timing is as much a problem as the level. If the
piece is easy, students will do as many movements as they need/can. If it's
a real serious (and advanced) piece, that's another matter. I personally am
extremely disappointed that there is a huge dearth of serious literature
for clarinet (in any format) which is more than 10-15 minutes. Yeah, there
are a couple of such works but most are of less-than-stellar quality. I
think audiences can take something long as long as it is engaging and
well-written, and as a performer, I'm tired of having to put 6-7 pieces on
a program. I want more 20-30 minute pieces a la Brahms.

Bear Woodson wrote:

> Hello, Clarinet List.
>
> My main person to ask advice for Clarinet Writing
> is still gone for the Holidays, so certain thins for my
> ideas for the Sonata for Bb Clarinet and Piano, and
> the Quintet for Bb Clarinet with violin, viola, cello and
> string bass, are therefore somewhat on hold.
>
> But I was serious when I was talking about my
> interest in writing more chamber works for Clarinet,
> so in the last 3 days I've already written the first 2
> movements of a new Trio for Flute, Oboe and Bb
> Clarinet.
>
> The First Movement is "Vivace", with Quarter-Note
> equals 160, in 5/4, with a short introduction and has
> an ABA Form, for about 3' 10".
>
> The Second Movement is "Andante: Fugue", with
> Eighth-Note equals 88, in 7/8. The 3 Voices enter in
> the First Fugal Exposition with the Bb Clarinet, Oboe
> and the Flute is last. The First Episode has a Canon at
> the Major Third (sometimes also with an octave thrown
> in between, making it a 10th), as the Oboe follows the
> Clarinet by a bar. The Second Fugal Exposition reverses
> the instrument order to become Flute, Oboe, and Bb
> Clarinet. There is a short Coda, and the Flute has the
> Final Statement of the Fugue Subject (which is Proper
> Fugal Form, to end a fugue with a re-statement of the
> Subject). This movement lasts about 3' 40".
>
> I already have ideas for a lively 3rd movement.
>
> So while I'm waiting for my clarinetist friend to re-
> turn from the Holidays, I'd like to ask your advice:
> Would it get more performances if I write 3 Move-
> ments to total about 10 minutes, or 5 Movements to
> total around 15 minutes? Whaddja think?
>
> Bear Woodson
> Composer, Tucson, Arizona, USA
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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