 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-06-10 14:40
Mohammeddisto -
The Brahms Quintet is really difficult. You need four strong string players -- nearly impossible to find in high school. The second violin and viola lines have to be played with complete assurance, and the cello goes into the stratosphere. Also, the line bounces around from one instrument to another, so the players can't work out the parts in isolation. Fitting it together as an ensemble is the challenge.
Brahms can be played by the young and the old. The commentators make much of the "autumnal" quality of Brahms' late chamber music, but that's built into the writing. You need the same maturity as in any great music, and this often comes by experience. Still, there are excellent recordings of the Brahms clarinet works by young players. It's music you play your whole life, and don't let anyone tell you you're too young.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-10 17:45
The brahms quintet is a beautiful piece. I had the chance to play it first semester of this last year (my senior of HS) with members of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra so I was fortunate to have outstanding string players to do this with. If you have really good string players, and you are profiecient enough to pull off the clarinet part. Then why not? And even if you couldn't find amazing string players. It's your life, do whatever the heck you want
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-06-10 19:14
Its one thing to attempt something, but then its another thing to learn where your "at".
The Brahms Sonatas for the Clarinet are not really a good way of preparing for the difficulties of the Quintet....
There is nothing worse than listening to someone hack their way through such beautiful music...
I would also add that high school players generally don't have the stamina to maintain this level of playing over such a stretch...the slow music is study in concentration and tone. Not a rumpus or dambuster, instead long drawn phrases and sustained intensity most kids don't have. The ones that do are generally are in Juliuard and Berlin Hochshule...
as to nuance, this alone is an area of phrasing ;and matching note for note the inflection and intonation on every phrase or phrase ending. Dynamics are strictly adhered to no matter the price!!!
As to tempos in a performance the clarinetist must be expected to be superhuman in this regard!!! Long held sounds must come from nowhere!!
I have done this work about 5 times and now realize that was just practice!! I no longer consider this to be something I would just run out and do without incredible practice and balancing of my own schedule!
David Dow
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-06-11 02:39
Having said this, have fun and enjoy playing the piece on whatever level...Brahm will assert his toughness fairly quickly...
David Dow
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