 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-09-10 19:30
I searched for this topic in the past and it was mentioned but never really explored...
Does anyone have experience performing the Francaix Clarinet Concerto with piano reduction? I'm working on this piece with my teacher but I'm wondering how it will sound with piano. I'd like to play it at a recital or something (we're actually learning it for a competition, but I'd like to perform it also), but the piano part looks very difficult and messy (at times having 4 staves). There are a lot of overlapping parts and chords that work in orchestra but will probably add up to a huge clustery mess on piano, or so it seems form just glancing over the part. Has anyone played this with piano, and if so, how did it sound (I realize this may be a better question for piano players but it's still worth a try).
I've already gotten through a few movements and I'm doing well, and I love the piece, but I still have a lot more work left (of course). If the piece will be virtually unperformable because of the piano part, I'd probably be best to pick a different concerto, at least for a recital's sake. We've considered Nielsen (which is slowly growing on me), but I don't have an A clarinet yet. I also have the Tomasi Concerto, which I've toyed with, but I've never heard it, so I don't know how it would sound (although the piano part looks much more reasonable). I could also do the Copland. I've played it before though, so I would rather perform a new song (I can keep it on the back-burner though).
Just let me know if you've had any experience with this piece on piano and, if so, how well it worked? Also, any other very tough (preferably modern) concertos that I might consider if Francaix flops?
Thanks,
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-09-10 20:38
Don -
Here are several good threads on the Francaix concerto:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=112173&t=112045
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=75182&t=75114
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1995/11/000418.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1995/05/000873.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1995/11/000422.txt
Incidentally, although most people pronounce his name "Frahn-say," he pronounced "Frahn-sex." A radio announcer in NY wrote to him, and he replied, saying that his family was Flemish, not French.
The Concerto is definitely playable with piano, even though some of the notes may have to be left out. I heard it done quite effectively with piano at the ClarinetFest in Columbus several years ago. I don't remember the name of the player -- perhaps Sean Osborn. Mark C. may recall.
If you can find it, the LP recording by Maurice Gabai is in a class by itself.
The Nielsen Concerto is problematic with piano, since there's a lot that depends on orchestral color, and it's unplayable without a snare drum.
For the Francaix, practice your B major scales and arpeggios until they're as smooth as C major. While the piece lies surprisingly well for something in B, it's still like wrestling with a gorilla, and your effectiveness depends on being able to toss off the licks seemingly without effort.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-09-11 04:13
Yeah. One thing I've noticed with the piece is that a lot of the technique doesn't have much pay-off as far as "wowing" the audience, where at least with pieces like the Nielsen or the Corigliano the technical passage sound really impressive. In the Francaix, it's like you play this incredibly fast run with incredibly hard fingerings and it just sorta goes by without much notice. However, I think the overall impression of the piece is a very big "wow".
Even the 3rd movment, which sounds beautiful and effortless is in fact a technical monster. That's what makes it fun though!
BTW, I have the Dmitri Ashkenazy recording with the Cincinnati Philharmonia Orchestra. I think he plays it great, but I've not heard any other versions to compare it to (except my own, which at the moment doesn't even come close to comparing!). Any notable things about Ashkenazy's performance of the piece?
Thanks
Don -theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: jez
Date: 2003-09-12 07:59
I know of a version of the Francaix where the accompaniment is arranged for 2 pianos. This seems to work better than the single piano reduction but is, obviously, less convenient from a practical/financial viewpoint.
jez
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Author: susannah
Date: 2003-09-13 08:56
Yes, its possible to play it with one piano (& a VERY good pianist!), also possible with 2 pianos, but not as practical. The piano does have to leave out quite a few notes, so make sure you're both agreed on whats important, and clear on whats happening as far as cues go. Have fun -great piece! : )
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