 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-03 08:57
I'm going for my first ever professional audition, for a professionally paid orchestra. I've got to prepare the Mozart Concerto (1st movt.) and Weber Concertino (it's in the bag!) for next Saturday (A last-minute thing).
I just need some advice on the Mozart, as I've only ever touched upon it briefly. Thanks in advance again guys!
PS> The audition is for a brand-new Opera company.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-03 17:36
Resist the tendency to play it too fast or too loud in the "F" sections. Start softly, and delicately, and use a light "Mozartian" style of articulation. Play the exact written rhythmns (resist over phrasing and rubato) at a steady tempo. And do all of this perfectly in tune.
Make the Concerto sound light and easy. Lots to accomplish in six days--many of us take a lifetime to learn to play this deceptively difficult work. Good luck.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-11-03 18:35
Intonation is very important when playing in an audition. Tune well with the piano before you start. I've heard many clarinet players start sharp at the beginning of the C minor phrase (bar 78). This is partly due to what Anthony Pay calls the "inhalation-sharpening effect". Make sure you're low enough on the first note of this phrase. You might even want to let out a little bit of air before you start the note? Practise the entrance with a tuner.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-03 22:15
Oh, forgot to mention - it is not accompanied. They can't afford to get someone in for everyone.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-11-03 22:35
If they have a piano available, bring your own accompanist.
It will make all the difference, assuming you're well prepared.
Play the Concerto on your A clarinet!
I can't tell you how many young players have auditioned on the Mozart, playing their Bb clarinets!!!
JJM
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2002-11-04 00:18
Is there anyway you can borrow an A for the audition?
If you get this job you are going to have to get one.
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Author: Michael McC.
Date: 2002-11-04 00:41
About the A clarinet, I know if I had an audition I couldn't find one to borrow, not one that played anyway. If it was me, I would just play it on Bb. Most people that aren't clarinet players don't know it's in A, and a lot of amateur piano players find it easier to play in Bb, as opposed to A. That might be an issue, since the audition is so soon.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-11-04 01:46
Morrigan,
If this is a professional orchestra (paid) and you don't even have an A clarinet ... are you planning on getting one immediately if you're accepted?
I know I wouldn't hire a mechanic for my car if they didn't have all the tools required to do the job. I wonder if a professional orchestra will feel the same way about your not having the proper tools to do <b>your</b> job.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-11-04 01:57
Morrigan:
You must beg, borrow, or steal(joke) an A clarinet.
Most of the standard Opera literature requires an A & Bb clarinet.
Mozart wrote ONE great concerto for Clarinet. It also requires an A clarinet.
If you are serious about this (paid) professional Opera job.
GET that A clarinet pronto!
Enough said.
Good luck,
JJM
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-04 03:26
Yes, I plan to get a loan the moment I get this job (big IF there). The thing is, there are no clarinet players on the panel, so I'm OK there. And the no accompanyment was THEIR idea, so it doesn't matter.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-11-04 07:22
Morrigan, you'll definitely be needing an A clarinet. But I personally wouldn't borrow one for the audition. You'd then have to get used to the borrowed instrument, as well as learning new repertoire, and all this with only 4 or 5 days left? Best of luck for the audition! Hope you're able to buy an A clarinet SOON!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-11-04 11:31
Morrigan wrote:
>
> The thing is, there are no clarinet players on the
> panel, so I'm OK there.
If this is truly a professional orchestra - then that panel's not stupid! Don't ever, ever assume the panel doesn't know what they're listening to or what clarinet you're supposed to be playing.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-04 14:10
It doesn't matter at all anyway, I'm just going to do the best job I can given the situation.
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-11-04 21:24
Good Luck! Let us all know the results! Best thing to know, breath deeply before you play to relax. Do your very best, and know that if you are meant to "land this gig" that you will. If not, a better position will come up for you. This audition is a good experience. Don't attempt to change clarinets before the audition. Just refine, as was mentioned above, and play. Sandra
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