 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jameslyons
Date: 2008-06-02 19:17
It's funny, as a classical musician the majority of the pieces I know how to play are transposed from other instruments: Bach's oboe and cello. Vivaldi's violin, and of course Bartok's folk violin (have you ever heard the Romanian dances in a clarinet sextet!?). The only classical piece of clarinet that I know is Mozart's Trio in E flat. I'm looking to get a copy of Brahm's and Mozart's clarinet concertos, but I always feel bummed out that you need a stringed quartet to reproduce the sound.
Besides pop music, Klezmer, and jazz, are there any classical clarinet pieces that stand out on their own?
However, I am looking to start a chamber group of amateur musicians (so everyone's at the same level), something like 18 months of experience or less. So far I have one violinist, my neighbors will be thrilled.
Any good suggestions for violin/clarinet duets that beginners can play?
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-06-02 19:27
James,
Rubank has a set of duets for clarinet and flute. The violinist could read the flute part. I have no idea for what level of musicians the book was intended, perhaps someone can provide some insight?
I'm a little confused by your use of the word "classical" and the fact that you don't believe there is a lot of music for clarinet?
If you mean classical in the literal way you should note that the clarinet came along only halfway through that period.
There is a ton of clarinet music out there!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-06-02 20:33
Jameslyons wrote:
> I'm looking to get a copy of Brahm's and
> Mozart's clarinet concertos,
The Brahms clarinet concerto might be difficult to find. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-06-02 21:12
There are two volumes in the Rubank series of flute and clarinet duets edited by Himie Voxman. The first is "Easy/Medium." Based on a quick glance through it, I think you will find some pieces that would work.
Along similar lines, John Gibson of JB Linear (a sponsor of this Board) has a number of works arranged for flute and clarinet duo. You can see what's available here:
http://shop.vendio.com/jblinear/category/4/
If you send John an e-mail (info@jb-linear-music.com) and tell him about your playing and what you're looking for, he can probably recommend some things appropriate for your level. Some of them may even be available for free download from his website.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-06-04 23:17
The brahms trio was material that was either for a concerto or symphony. I gave a talk 12 years ago at the FAME music festival on the Brahms, but don't remember specifics without my notes on it.
Anyone else hear that about the Brahms trio?
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-06-05 04:23
DavidBlumberg wrote:
> The brahms trio was material that was either for a concerto or
> symphony. I gave a talk 12 years ago at the FAME music festival
> on the Brahms, but don't remember specifics without my notes on
> it.
> Anyone else hear that about the Brahms trio?
David -
I've done LOTS of research and reading on the origins of all four of Brahms' late works for clarinet (Op. 114, Op. 115 and Op. 120) and have never come across any mention of thematic material in these works being associated with any of his symphonies or concerti.
Remember - Brahms' 4 symphonies and all his major concerti were written well before the clarinet works in question, so their material could not have been borrowed FROM the aforementioned clarinet works.
Although there are numerous stylistic, harmonic, chordal similarities and relationships between the clarinet works and other Brahms' compositions, the actual thematic material in each is unique.
If, perchance you know of thematic borrowing, then you have come across something that Geiringer, MacDonald, Harrison, Brodbeck and others ALL missed in their books.
If you want find any similarity at all between the clarinet trio and other Brahms' works, I would propose that Brahms had a penchant for writing his works in pairs:
- the Clarinet Trio and Clarinet Quintet (op. 114 and 115)
- the 2 Clarinet Sonatas (op. 120)
- the First and Second Symphonies
- the Third and Fourth Symphonies
- the first 2 Piano Sonatas (op.1 and 2)
- the two Piano Quartets (op. 25 and 26)
- numerous song sets
- the Academic Festival and Tragic Overtures (op.80 and 81)
- the orchestral serenades (Op. 11 and 16)
- the Cello Sonata and Violin Sonata (op. 99 and 100)
and numerous other examples ...
...GBK
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-06-05 11:57
I'll counter that one:
http://www.riverdaleensemble.com/Conc0202.html
Stephen Fox -
"The Trio in A minor Op. 114 displays a variety of moods and emotions that could hardly be wider (more so than, for example, its cousin the Clarinet Quintet). The first movement - whose opening theme is said to have been chosen by Brahms for his unwritten Fifth Symphony - sobs with bleak melancholy; the adagio second movement glows with loving warmth; the third, a surpassingly graceful Viennese waltz with a yodeling Ländler middle section, brings to mind Brahms’ close friend and summertime neighbour Johann Strauss Jr.; and the finale, alternating between fiery passion and sardonic wit, exemplifies Brahms’ fondness for “Gypsy” and quasi-Hungarian musical style. "
I had written for, not from a Concerto or Symphony. So it would have been material for his 5th Sym.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
Post Edited (2008-06-05 11:58)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-06-05 13:07
DavidBlumberg wrote:
> I'll counter that one:
>
> http://www.riverdaleensemble.com/Conc0202.html
I'd like to know his source material for that specific quote in his program notes.
If it was Jeffrey Danes' article: "If Brahms Had Lived... A Conjectural Obituary" in The Musical Times (July 1990), then it is nothing more than its title - conjecture.
Remember - Brahms' Fourth Symphony was not only a struggle to write (1884/1885) , but its initial reception by friends (including Clara) and eventually critics (including Hanslick) was chilly at best.
Although Brahms may have finally achieved his desire - to write a symphony with simple, grave beauty, the 4th symphony remained a (critical) disappointment for at least 20 years after Brahms' death.
Would Brahms have written, or contemplated writing, another symphony, his 5th, so quickly?
No one knows for certain.
...GBK
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Author: Jameslyons
Date: 2008-06-11 21:59
I suppose Brahms must have died amidst composing for several pieces. I love his Clarinet Quintet Op.115 and would love to play similar clarinet driven pieces by different composers.
I wasn't clear before when I said there was little music for the clarinet in classical music. What I intended to say was that before the modern classical period there are only a few clarinet-driven pieces of music as opposed to the number of string-driven compositions.
Where the clarinet is in a large number of symphonies and orchestras, it's often delegated to a quiet corner. You play a couple measures and then face a wall of rests.
My violin partner and I are going to the local music store tomorrow to pick out a couple duet books. Thanks for the suggestion of flute music.
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