 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2009-01-18 04:51
I was practicing earlier today, and I played through the Brahms first sonata.
For some reason, I haven't played it in a while. As I played it, I started thinking about other clarinet sonatas, and came to the conclusion that nothing else beats this one. It's the best!
There are other wonderful clarinet sonatas and clarinet/piano pieces--the Poulenc, Hindemith, Martinu, Weber Grand Duo, etc. As far as I'm concerned, though, none of these other works quite match the Brahms 1 in substance and musical value. Brahms must have been very inspired when he wrote this piece, just as Mozart was when he wrote his clarinet concerto.
I didn't mention the Brahms second. I like it and think it's great music, but I don't think it's quite as good as the first.
What does everyone else think? Is the Brahms 1 the best clarinet sonata?
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-01-18 15:58
NO
Brahms's 2nd rocks --particularly the 2nd move.
Start your recital with the 1st, and finish with the 2nd.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-01-18 16:18
I prefer the second.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: clariknight
Date: 2009-01-18 18:15
I agree with Bob and Allan, although I prefer the 1st movement of the second.
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-01-18 19:06
I actually like the 1st Sonata better. Even though the clarinet part is less melodic in the 1st, it's the complex and dramatic interplay between the clarinet and piano that makes the 1st Sonata interesting. (and more difficult to practice by yourself--it's a bit like ballroom dancing without a partner)
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2009-01-21 00:42
Your responses are quite interesting. Some of you prefer the second sonata to the first, but nobody has argued that the clarinet sonatas of other composers are greater than those of Brahms.
Graham, thanks for the information about Herbert Howells. I found a sound clip, and it sounds nice. I had never heard of Howells before, and unfortunately, his music is almost unknown in the U.S.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2009-01-21 03:24
I'll argue that other sonatas are better than Brahms. I just didn't have much more constructive to say as to which I prefer other than "a bunch of them."
I like one movement from each of the Brahmses.
If someone put a gun to my head and demanded I name a handful of clarinet-and-piano pieces that I prefer to the Brahmses, I'd probably spit out Poulenc, Szalowski, and perhaps Saint-Saens.
Brahms may have the others pegged for quantity of musical density, but in my book that's hardly enough to declare it best.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2009-01-21 05:19
Best sonata?
Best clarinetist?
Best barrel?
Best clarinet?
Best concerto?
Best mouthpiece?
Best sound?
Best hall?
Best ligature?
Best orchestra?
Best reed?
Best conductor?
Those of us who are of the best race, have the best religion, are the best looking, and who already live in the best country in the world should have no trouble with these questions.
B.
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