Klarinet Archive - Posting 000662.txt from 2004/08
From: "dnleeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] (DerHirt auf dem Felsen) /Shephard on the Rock
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 14:11:59 -0400
While this work is invariably performed with the voice and
clarinet standing as equal solo coparticipatns, I think that the
clarinetist should be sitting and not in a particularly prominent
position either. While it is a prominent voice, of course, the
solo belongs to the singer. It is she who conveys the text and,
by her body gestures and expressions some elements of the meaning
of what she is singing about. As an obligatto part, the clarinet
need not be thrust into the limelight as if he or she shared it
fully with the solo voice.
I must ask you a question. Since you have chosen to inquire of
this list if anyone has insights into the piece, can I assume
that you have not played it? If that is the case, I urge you to
find a teacher who can share the work with you, and make sure
that the teacher has played it too. And failing that, try to get
hold of the recording with Benita (or Caterina) Valente, Harold
Wright, and Rudolph Serkin.
I also point out that the work is still from the period in which
invention was expected. The first 3/4 of the piece is an
opportunity for the clarinetist, but in the last 1/4, the allegro
has almost no opportunity for invention.
The toughest note occurs when the clarinetist opens up the
allegro and plays the them. The high note "e" is the one to
watch. There is a terrific fingering that allows one to go from
the g to the e, it involving the a-flat key played with the ball
of the left hand pointer finger, but I have forgotten if anything
else is up or down. It's been a long time.
The several trills in the slow section demand your attention.
When these trills were played in the late 1800s, it was the
custom to start them slow and get faster. That is a Brahmsian
trill and, in my opinion, has no place in the music of Schubert.
There the execution of the trill was immediate but not like a
speeding bullet.
Good luck. It is exquisite music.
Dan Leeson
DNLeeson@-----.net
-----Original Message-----
From: henderk2@-----.ca
[mailto:henderk2@-----.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 10:56 AM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: [kl] (DerHirt auf dem Felsen) /Shephard on the Rock
I've been asked to play the Schubert "Der Hirt auf dem Felsen
(Shepherd on the
Rock)" in a friend's vocal recital. Does anyone have any insights
or advice to
share?
Thanks!
Ken Henderson
Truro NS Canada
-----------------------------------------------------------------
----
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc.
http://www.woodwind.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org
