 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jane Haversham
Date: 2003-01-09 06:08
Hi. my university is doing west side story next spring. I'm a horn player and know nothing about reeds.
i'm very confused as to who I should give each part to. i haven't received the music yet. I have 2 clarinetists available. One is very good technically, but i'm not sure I like his sound. he sounds very...i dunno, maybe saxophone like? The second one has a very beautiful sound but a less rapid technique and trouble tonguing.
which reed part has the most solos in it? and which one has the most fast tutti passages?
Thanks
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-01-09 07:09
Whoa there - this sounds like the company deciding to do a show without involving the MD in the decision making.
It's my favourite show to play but it's very demanding for the players. From my recollection here are 4/5 reed parts - 4 for multi-instrumentalists plus a bassoon. eg Rd1 Bb clar/ Alto sax. Others will be playing eg Bb / bass/barisax or flute/sop sax/Bb/alto.Then Bb / Tenorsax and Flute. Probably not accurate here but you will need more than just pure clarinettists here. I would say all parts are as demanding both technically and rhythmically, but wonderful if it comes off.
Suggest you get a perusal score and if you can, employ pro or semipro players for the reeds - diff for other parts also. You don't say whether your university has a music dept ? source of players?
Sorry to be worrysome but IMHO you can't put this one on cutting corners. Nevertheless if you have a good company this is an emotional roller coaster. Go for it !
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-01-09 09:58
I agree. To do any sort of justice to this music you need a piccolo player, two flute players, probably 3 clrinet players along with a bass clarinet player, plus at least 4 saxophone players, all rolled into 4 players, and possibly a basson player as well. Furthermore, all these players need to be accomplished. That is unless you have a lot of room for several players sharing each part, with a lot of juggling.
This is a very well arranged show, and to reduce the instrumentation would be about as much sacrilege as reducing the number of main characters on stage. Two clarinets! No way!
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Author: Ken
Date: 2003-01-09 13:16
I wouldn't begin assigning parts and players until first getting my hands on and reviewing a full/condensed score. If you're going with a Broadway-style cut-down group and intend on renting from any of the major publishers, they ALL will be reed parts and nothing BUT doubling.
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Author: d dow
Date: 2003-01-09 14:27
I have played this show on numerous runs and will say first off you need a first rate piccollo player and all excellent ensemble players. Moreover, if the percussionists aren't good-- then forget the whole show.
This is one tough one and therefore try to get the parts out long before so players of lesser degree have a chance to cut their teeth on style and interpretation, and just getting through some of the rought part writing.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-01-09 14:37
I recall that the book I played had Eb & Bb clarinets as well as tenor (?) and bass sax. (the only time in my life that I played bass sax). There may also have been some flute or bass clarinet. In any case, you need to have four capable WW doublers who can each play a whole book themselves, or an extremely large pit area for all of the extra players needed as the alternative. It is a demanding show--musically and skillwise (doublers). Cutting any of the books would be a diservice to the production. While the doubles are demanding, it is perhaps the most "fun" shows I have ever played--good music and lots of action (on stage and in the pit). MAMBO!!!!--and good luck!!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-01-09 15:29
I've played the show numerous times, and it will keep you on your toes, in spite of the fact that we all have heard the score, literally since infancy.
If I remember correctly there are 2 different orchestrations available for rental, a large orchestra (5 reed books) and a modified orchestra (3 reed books).
The parts are divided (I may be slightly off, as it has been a while since I last played the show) along these lines:
Large orchestra:
Reed I - (piccolo/flute/clarinet/bass clarinet/alto sax)
Reed II - (clarinet/Eb clarinet/bass clarinet)
Reed III - (piccolo/flute/oboe/english horn/clarinet/bass clarinet/tenor sax/baritone sax)
Reed IV - (piccolo/flute/clarinet/bass clarinet/soprano sax/bass sax)
Reed V - (bassoon)
Small orchestra:
Reed I - (piccolo/flute/clarinet/alto sax)
Reed II - (clarinet/tenor sax)
Reed III - (clarinet/bass clarinet/baritone sax)
Needless to say, all the woodwind players must be strong, and have good doubling (tripling/quadrupling) skills. If not, forget the show and start thinking about "The Sound of Music." ...GBK
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Author: BG
Date: 2003-01-09 23:28
I have also done this show many times with the above instrumentation mentioned, but last year we did still another version with 4 reed books. Having served as Reed 1/Contractor, I can tell you exactly what the rental books called for.
Reed 1 Picc., Fl., Cl., Alto
Reed 2 Fl., Cl., Eb Cl., Alto
Reed 3 Picc., Fl., Cl., Tenor
Reed 4 Cl., Bass Cl., Bary
Reed 1 & 3 must be excellent flute/piccolo players on both chairs.
Reed 2 has the strong clarinet chair. All four chairs have "heat" in many places.
Also, Horn, 2 Trpts., Trbn., Piano, Guitar, Drums, Perc., 3 Vlns., Cello, and Bass. Be sure to allow plenty of pit room for the percussionist and the reeds. Good luck!
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Author: Jean
Date: 2003-01-09 23:54
I have done this show three times and have played three different books. The last time I played it I played Book 4....clarinet, bass clarinet, bari sax. Book 5 was all bassoon.
Between the reed players we had something like 17 instruments between the 5 of us so give them lots of room for instruments. And insist they have stands to put their horns on. No lying them on the floor for god's sake. This show is not for the faint of heart, or your average high school pit orchestra.
It is fun and you play most of the show.
Jean
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Author: Arthur
Date: 2003-01-10 04:28
I played the book IV with the six horns. There is a piccolo duets in one of the ballet scenes. YOu might do a cut andpaste job to get all the hard clarinet parts to the best clarinet player, but you are talking about reorcheatrating an entire show for free. The best thing is to get reed player that can play each book, and have the horns, and can practice a few extra times. Many times in shows the very difficlt parts are spread around to give others a rest. And sometimes parts are spread around to give one time to switch horns. Good luck Arthur
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