 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wonkak Kim
Date: 2003-12-14 14:51
isn't it just frustrating when you have to compete against pianists who play rach's 3rd or schumann concerto? I guess we have better repertoir than Tubaists but it's just too hard to beat violinists or pianists at the young artist competitions...
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-12-14 17:42
That would quite a problem. All the contests I've done have a piano, strings, and wind (sometimes called "other") section, so I've never had to experience that first hand. If all those different instruments are really lumped together, that's really unfair (although personally would be just as happy to hear the Copland concerto as the Rach. 3). Even the most impressive clarinet concertos can't compare (from a physical rigor standpoint) with the big piano concertos (the Corigliano probably comes the closest, I'd say). If it's any consolation, I've seen that a lot of people play Mozart piano concertos (or similar in difficulty), so it's at least we might have a chance out play them, physically. From an artistic standpoint, I think the clarinet can play as just as expressively and probably more so than both violin and piano. So even though it's not the best situation, it's not hopeless.
DH
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: Wonkak Kim
Date: 2003-12-14 19:21
I totally agree... but it is just hard because even if I play very expressively and artistically, all those qualified pianists do the same... And they play the "big" concertos.. sigh
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-14 20:13
In Australia our national broadcaster holds competitions - most of the time it's segregated ... as it should be - it's like comparing apples and oranges.
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Author: obtuse
Date: 2003-12-14 21:40
I don't think they should be segregated, necessarily. There's no reason why a clarinet couldn't win a contest of musicality against a piano or violin. They all have their capabilities and limitations, and just because they're different instruments capable of doing different, specialized, things, doesn't mean different properties couldn't be given different subjective values -- I know that I like oranges a lot more than I like apples, despite an apple's possible usefulness over an orange in different venues.
All instruments have their strengths and weaknesses; I agree that when played to the extent of the instrument's capabilities, the clarinet can probably be played more expressively than a piano or possibly even a violin, but definitely, the piano wins in techicality.
That's not to say that all instruments are equal in strengths and weaknesses, but neither are a judge's inclinations. When posed with two instruments, one more technical and less expressive, and one more expressive and less technical (relative to the other instrument), it's up to the individual to decide which aspect he values more.
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Author: Pianogal86
Date: 2003-12-15 01:16
I disagree that the clarinet can be played more expressively. I play piano and clarinet and don't see the reasons behind your statements. For myself, I can play the piano better technically, musically, and expressively though I still love the clarinet. (This may be in part due to the fact that I concentrate on the piano) I'm just wondering why and how you could say that a clarinet can be played more expressively.
Heather Jo
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Author: obtuse
Date: 2003-12-15 02:36
The clarinet jus has more qualities that I associate with "expressiveness." With a clarinet, it's possible to sustain notes for much longer, pitch and tone can be more easily adjusted and bended. Volume can be increased gradually and without having to rearticulate. And then there are a bunch of little things that you can add for a little bit of color to your sound like varying types of vibrato, slides, a little growl, etc...
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2003-12-15 02:44
They're just differently expressive. Many of obtuse's favorite "expressive" qualities of the clarinet are also often its downfall, as they can come off as sloppy if not properly controlled.
If the adjudicators are well-versed, they will likely judge the competition on how well something is performed with respect to the expectations of the instrument. Last year, a clarinetist won our concerto competition, though I think pianos dominated this year.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2003-12-15 03:10
Tell me about it- my school's concerto competition has me against someone playing the Schumann piano concerto- flashy and loud- when I'm playing delicate Mozart.
But the real reason why I don't have a chance is that the pianist is a senior honors music major and I'm a wimpy little freshman.
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Author: Snowy
Date: 2003-12-15 22:12
Diz wrote:
In Australia our national broadcaster holds competitions - most of the time it's
segregated ... as it should be - it's like comparing apples and oranges.
but forgot to say that in 2003 the Australian Symphony Young Performer of the Year award was won against all comers by Richard Haynes, clarinettist extrodinaire.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-15 22:40
Yes - and it's a shame that prospect for "winning" (as you Americans say) an orchestral job in Australia (as a clarinetist) is almost distressingly low.
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-12-16 03:00
I think the clarinet can play more expressively because of it's vocal qualities. To mirror another posters comments, the clarinet can create such nuances in sound quality. A single note on the piano does nothing for me (though I love piano music and am a decent pianist), but a single sustained note on the clarinet can be altered to express a variety of colors and "feelings". I think on piano, the "expressiveness" comes from the music you are playing (though the players certainly must be capable - same with clarinet).
As I said, the clarinet can do more with a single note than the piano can do with all it's notes put together as far as expresion, in my opinion. Someone mentioned that the strengths of the clarinet are also it's greatest weaknesses. This is true for all instruments, ESPECIALLY the piano. The things that make the piano great are the most difficult to pull off.
For anyone looking to start a fight, this isn't a "which is better" discussion. I may feel clarinet is more expressive, but until my R-13 can play a chord, I'm not going to declare its superiority. I've been nearly moved to tears by some beautiful piano playing (and some really horrible playing for that matter!! )
Don Hite - theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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