 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-17 10:16
At my college, at the end of each semester, we can put in requests for ensembles we'd like to be placed in. If we don't do this, we will be allocated by someone (And their choices are VERY good!).
This semester just passed, I did the Khachaturian Trio, and 'Tall Tales but True' by Nigel Westlake (Australian Composer) which is very modern and difficult, and required Bass and Bb.
I'm thinking about next semester, and I'd like to do something quite challenging (again). I was thinking of suggesting the Brahms Trio in A minor, but I think that may be getting TOO challenging, and I'm not sure how soon I'll be purchasing an A clarinet.
I really like working with strings, and really don't like working with woodwind (mostly). Sounds strange I know.
So has anyone got any suggestions for good small ensembles? Can be up to 8 or 9, or as little as 2.
As always, I appreciate your help.
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Author: graham
Date: 2003-06-17 12:45
Howard Ferguson Octet, 1933, 22 mins, for string quartet, D bass, clarinet, horn, bassoon
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Author: William
Date: 2003-06-17 14:50
"Benny's Gig" by Morton Gould. Series of eight duets for clarinet and double bass in a variety of styles from sensual legato to jump'n jazz.
Written for the (late) great Benny Goodman (and presumably, his brother, a bass player).
Seemingly simple, yet quite musically and technically challenging if played correctly. Definately, an audience pleaser.
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-17 21:52
Brahms is most definately a beautiful piece of music. If you decided to do the a Clarinet/Cello/Piano trio you could do the beethoven as well. You use a Bb Clarinet for that. Another good selection for Bb clarinet that you would like would be the Mozart Trio for Clarinet/Viola/Piano. Trust me, I know how you feel, I had to play the Bartok Contrasts on an A clarinet that didn't work for me as well as i liked.
I know you don't like playing woodwind quintets but I really think you should do it. I really feel that with myself, quintet work improved my playing quite a bit. It's gererally much more difficult to play in tune and match with the contrasting woodwinds. Thus I feel one becomes more aware of tunning tendencies and such. There are some great pieces for Bb clarinet in the woodwind quintet setting. The Ibert and the Taffenel are great pieces. You should strongly consider them.
good luck!
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-18 01:17
Thanks CYSO
Yeah, I don't like playing in Quinets/Quartets for that exact reason - I honestly don't have the refined skill yet! You're right, it would be quite a challenge to play in one.
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-06-18 03:07
I put in requests to do the Mozart Quintet for piano and winds, and also the Mozart piano clarinet viola trio. Jane (the co-ordinator) told me next semester is looking to be all 20th Century Australian music for small ensembles, because that way they get more government funding or something. It stinks if you ask me, but she was the one who proposed the idea and it got approved... :( Its going to be very difficult to place everyone in groups depending on instrumentation etc. I can't imagine there is THAT MUCH good Australian music for small ensembles.
Oh, and how do you expect to acquire (aquire?) the skill if you don't try it and gain experience? Just a thought.
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Author: Craig C
Date: 2003-06-18 07:53
I did a quartet by Peter Schiekle for Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano that was a lot of fun... it did require an A Clarinet though. I'd also second cyso's remark about woodwind quintets. In addition to the Ibert, the Hindemith is a great quintet... nice clarinet part! Also the Poluenc sextet for wind quintet and piano is an awesome piece. Clarinet part is pretty doable, horn part seemed particularly challenging to me, and you definitely need a good piano player. Good luck!
Craig
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2003-06-18 13:05
A good enjoyable piece to play is the Beethoven septet op.20. I like it because it combines wind and strings (string quartett + wind trio). It has 6 movements as in a divertimento. The clarinet has a beautiful lead part in the wind and is not too much technical. The second movement is a little wonder.
Stéphane.
After you've heard a work by Mozart, the silence that follows, this is still by Mozart.
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Author: ken
Date: 2003-06-18 16:11
Not seizing the opportunity and experience of playing in a WWQ is like a beautiful face with a missing tooth. If one is a music major and building toward a playing career on clarinet (in any style and setting) performing in small, intimate ensembles is crucial to well-rounded musical and social growth. RUN, don't walk to the WWQ sign-up list ... it's a glorious and rewarding world of outstanding literture. Take a semester or year and "help yourself" become a more valuable and versatile clarinetist. v/r Ken
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