Klarinet Archive - Posting 000341.txt from 2002/12

From: "Denise Wilson" <dew@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Mezzo soprano pieces
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 13:32:48 -0500

Hi Richard,

I'm so happy to hear you're considering the Wanamaker!! I absolutely love
that piece, but then, I am biased...

Greg was friends with me and my mezzo soprano friend while we were all in
school at Florida State, and was looking for a project when we approached
him about writing us a piece to perform on a recital. My friend picked the
poem, one of her then-favorites, and asked him if he'd do a piece for us to
play. We were so lucky!!! We played it on our recital and at the festival
of new music at FSU later that year. The piece won an award from Sigma
Alpha Iota not long after. I still have the photocopied manuscript, but I
think he revised it a little before publication.

It requires a lot of control in both parts. It uses lots of soft dynamics
and interesting intervals to express the poignancy of the lyrics. It's not
a flashy piece, but has some absolutely breathtaking moments. Defintely a
good one for a recital--not like anything else you're likely to play.

I am also familiar with Song of the Shepherd Lell, which is a delightful
piece for clarinet, mezzo, and piano. It's from the Snow Maiden (I
think--going on memory). The shepherd plays the clarinet, and the maiden is
singing about her love for him. It's not difficult in any of the parts,
fits together well, and should put a smile on everyone's face.

Regarding your questions about range, I'm not too sure without digging the
parts out, but my mezzo friend didn't have any trouble with them.

Good luck!
Denise Wilson

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Sankovich <sanko@-----.edu>
> Hi! Is anyone familiar with any of the following pieces, all of which
> involve clarinet and mezzo-soprano voice? I would appreciate having
> your opinions about any of them.
>
> Amy: d'un Desastre Obscur
> Lohberg: Ausgewahlte Lieder
> Reif: Encounters
> Rimsky-Korsakov: Song of the Shepherd Lell
> Wanamaker: Mid-winter Waking
>
> I am looking for chamber music suitable for a mezzo soprano or alto
> voice, no higher than the fifth line F on the treble clef. (We already
> have the songs by Spohr and Lachner.) Would Cooke's Three Songs of
> Innocence be in the mezzo range?
>
> Thank you for your help. ---Richard Sankovich

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