The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-09-06 16:01
Hi GBK,
My daughter just entered high school this year. I am interested in your music recommendations for a NYSSMA level VI solo. She can play to B6, which is not bad for a 13 year old. (C7 still gives her problems, but we are working on it.) She will be 14 October 17th. I wish to start her preparation for all-state (a year early). So what I need is a nice piece that hasn't been or won't be over-played. (No judge wants to hear the same thing over and over again.) I will appreciate as much info as you can give me.
Best Regards
Mark
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-06 17:08
Mark said:
>No judge wants to hear the same thing over and over again
As a NYSSMA judge, that statement sadly is true. It is refreshing when a student comes in with a piece which is not Mozart or Weber (not that there's anything wrong with that ).
The two pieces which seem to elicit high scores, (if played well, of course) are the Poulenc Sonata and the Messager Solo de Concours. Those would be my first two choices.
BTW - The new NYSSMA catalog is soon to be released to educators and judges. (it was revised and reprinted in July). Check the Grade 6 list to make sure that nothing has changed...GBK
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-09-06 18:25
Sounds great GBK.
Can you tell me where I can get these pieces on a CD so my daughter can listen to them? Which edition is recommended? (Maybe I have Mozart on the brain.)
Speaking of Mozart, in your opinion which is the best edition?
Thanks
Mark
Post Edited (2003-09-06 18:32)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-06 19:36
Mark... For the Messager the required edition is the Andraud (or Southern Music Company). If you choose the Poulenc, then the Chester edition (any revision) is the required one to use. For the Mozart Concerto, any edition (believe it or not) is acceptable.
The Poulenc and Messager are both readily available on CD by a number of performers in different styles. I believe this has probably been discussed before, so you may want to check the archives. I have my favorites, but then again, they are my favorites.
For the Mozart, in my opinion, I think the 3 editions which offer the most recent insight and thought, yet leave the door open for one to make the Concerto a personalized piece would be the 1977 Bärenreiter edition (edited by Giegling), the 1974 Schott edition (edited by Hacker) or the 1987 Breitkopf and Härtel edition (re-edited by the Trio Di Clarone) ...GBK
BTW - The NYSSMA Grade 6 list has close to 30 different pieces to choose from, but many in my opinion are beyond the ability of the majority of high school students.
Now if only their teachers would be honest and tell them that ...GBK
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-09-07 16:07
GBK,
Thank you for your help. Looks like I have next years music all picked out.
Can you give me a few picks with required editions for each level 4 and 5? This way I can,
1) Gauge where my daughter is now.
2) Select music for this year
IMHO you are the best resource on the matter.
Best Regards and Thanks
Mark
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-07 17:30
Mark...As I cautioned earlier, the NYSSMA catalog is being revised this year, so any selections in the different Grade levels must be rechecked to assure that they are still where they previously were listed. The logic of the clarinet editorial staff is often baffling, as (for example) the Brahms Sonatas or Weber Concertino seems to bounce back and forth between Grade 5 and Grade 6. Who knows where they will place them this year? Other times, major clarinet literature seemingly disappears, only to reappear a few years later.
That being said, on the Grade 4 level, which contains about 50 selections, the three that I like are the Collis - Festival Solo (Boosey & Hawkes), the Mozart - Rondo from K.485 (edited by E. Simon, G. Schirmer, pub.). This was originally written in 1786 in D major for piano, but has been transcribed into (written) C major for clarinet, and the K. Stamitz - Concerto No.3 in Bb, First movement (Peters ).
A word of warning - The Grade 4 level contains a number of Baroque transcriptions for clarinet. Unless the student has some guidance, I would avoid these, as the judges often heavily critique style and interpretation.
On the Grade 5 level, which contains about 40 selections. there are a number of the standard major clarinet works, and surely you would recognize the majority of them. Many of them are the cornerstone of the repertoire and at some point should be studied. Three works on the Grade 5 list which are not played as often as they should (but score high, if played well) are the Cavallini - Adagio and Tarantella (Cundy-Bettony/Carl Fischer), the Rabaud - Solo de Concours (Southern), or if the student has excellent guidance from a teacher, the Osborne - Rhapsody (Peters).
Again, recheck the new NYSSMA catalog to assure accuracy and publisher information.
Any further, more personal questions, you can email me directly...GBK
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-09-07 18:20
GBK,
Thanks again. I will do as you say and check the music as soon as I can get my hands on a manual. In the future I will email you directly if I have any further questions.
Best Regards
Mark
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