Klarinet Archive - Posting 000665.txt from 2002/03

From: EClarinet@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: Shepherd on the Rock
Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2002 00:44:39 -0500

In a message dated 3/21/02 4:18:15 PM EST, Richard writes:

<<
Does anyone know of an edition of Schubert's "Shepherd on the Rock" that =
has been transposed down by several half steps? I have just made the =
acquaintance of an excellent mezzo-soprano and would love to work with =
her on this piece, but she can't get up to the high A's and Bb's. =
Thanks for any suggestions. ---Richard Sankovich
>>

Richard--
I really recommend that you do NOT transpose all or part of this piece.
Besides the reasons others have mentioned, the tessitura is what will kill
your mezzo friend, not just the couple of high notes. Schubert knew exactly
what he was doing when he chose a soprano--it really doesn't work for mezzo.

I am a soprano and a clarinetist, and I have both played and sung this piece
many times. (and once I did both at the same time--but that's a story for
later).

Why don't you try the great literature for mezzo and clarinet, like "Parto,
ma tu ben mio" by Mozart, or Louis Spohr's "Six German Songs". Both of these
are great pieces, with good parts for singer AND clarinetist.

Elise Curran
coloratura soprano
clarinetist
Orlando, FL

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