Klarinet Archive - Posting 001222.txt from 1998/03

From: avrahm galper <agalper@-----.com>
Subj: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SECOND
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 09:45:27 -0500

Some readers are wondering why the second clarinet audition has to be
tough.After all the second isn't playing the solos, just " fill ins."

>From experience I can tell you that the second clarinet has to be very
very good.
There are many solos that call for equal partnership and to have the
second just play a minor role could ruin the whole picture.

Take for instance the beginning of the Tschaikovsky's 5th symphony. A
long unison solo. The second has to be as good as the first.
The Age of Anxiety by Bernstein. Two clarinets play a very important
solo at the beginning.

This I have heard from other pros; a good first could be a good second,
knowing the ins and outs of playing the clarinet parts.
I won't enumerate all the solos that go together.Suffice to say that the
second has to be very very good.
Another quote from pros: a second can make or break a first.

Avrahm Galper

http://www.sneezy.org/avrahm_galper/index.html