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Brahms 3

Author: rbell96
Date: 2003-12-26 20:00

Hi,

I am playing 1st in Brahms 3 next term and was wondering if anyone has any advice or help since it is the first time i have played this piece.

Thanks,
Rob

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Re: Brahms 3

Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-26 20:10

Brahms' 3rd symphony is a treasure chest of delightful clarinet writting. Ever movement has wonderful dovetailling passages and beautiful tunes. It is my favourite Brahms symphony by far. Just enjoy it ...

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Re: Brahms 3

Author: DougR
Date: 2003-12-27 13:42

I know that there was at least one article in The Clarinet within the last (I'm guessing) 7-8 years on how to prepare the usual excerpts from the Brahms 3, including an alternate fingering for the high Eb in the opening solo passage, whether or not to REALLY switch to A clarinet for the sections written for A clarinet, and stuff like that. You'd have to check the back issue lists for The Clarinet.

Lucky you, though. It's one of my favorite orchestral things to play. Have fun!

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Re: Brahms 3

Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-27 14:27

DougR wrote:

> usual excerpts from the Brahms 3, including an alternate
> fingering for the high Eb in the opening solo passage, whether
> or not to REALLY switch to A clarinet for the sections written
> for A clarinet, and stuff like that.

I prefer to start the symphony and play the first 35 measures (which include the opening solo passages) on A clarinet, rather than Bb. Thus the C6 and Eb6 become C#6 and E6 ...GBK

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Re: Brahms 3

Author: R13A
Date: 2003-12-27 15:22

Rob;

If you can get ahold of Peter Hadcock's invaluable Book...THE WORKING CLARINETIST (available thru Van Cott, a WOODWIND.ORG sponsor), there is an 8 page 'dissertation' on this piece including: music, fingerings, Bb vs A clarinet usage, musicanship, etc.

Also, yes, there was an article in a past issue of THE CLARINET. Go into the ICA web site. look in archived articles and you may be able to read it.

ps.....if you haven't already, join the ICA and you can read articles first hand (they have a reduced membership rate for students)

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Re: Brahms 3

Author: DougR
Date: 2003-12-27 15:55

Oddly enough, after my post above, I was JUST sitting here leafing through the new issue of The Clarinet (w/Louis DeSantis on the cover), and GUESS WHAT piece Ed Palanker discusses in his new article on orchestral excerpts. Talk about serendipity!

And, GBK, just out of curiosity, why not play the whole opening section on Bb, including the part written for the A?

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Re: Brahms 3

Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-27 20:18

DougR wrote:

> And, GBK, just out of curiosity, why not play the whole opening
> section on Bb, including the part written for the A?

A few reasons:

If you play the opening solo on the Bb clarinet, the altissimo register switch to the high Eb6 is tough to match to the surrounding C6's. By playing it on A clarinet, the notes would be C#6 - E6 - C#6 - three altissimo notes, rather than just one.

Also, there is a very quick A clarinet switch in measure 36, which begins an important solo. Aside from the fact that it is difficult to switch clarinets that quickly, you would be picking up a cold A clarinet and playing a solo which begins in the throat register...GBK

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