The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lyn
Date: 2004-02-24 13:00
The director of a local community orchestra (not quite a calamity orchestra but not professional, either) has asked me if I would like to play a solo with the group in a chamber concert next fall, with the chamber orchestra accompanying. Something along the lines of Concertino, or the Rossini Intro/Theme/Var, basically a one-movement thing, not more than 15 minutes. My husband is doing the Rossini in another concert next year, so I don't want to do that!!!! LOL
Any ideas outside of the old chestnuts and District solos? I fear the group would mangle Debussy on just the intonation alone. Yet I am not in any great hurry to play Weber, Rossini, etc. BTDT. If I have to, I will do the Concertino, since everyone knows and likes it, and it can bring an audience. But I'd rather do something more modern and fun.
Ideas, please!
~L
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Author: lyn
Date: 2004-02-24 13:58
Don't know those! At least not by name, I am sure I've heard them and just don't place name with piece. BTW if anyone posts with a suggestion and knows of a recording, let me know. I am going to check out every single piece that I can!
But this group, well, I am sure they could mangle just about anything. LOL Maybe I should stick with safe (ugh)....
~L
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Author: William
Date: 2004-02-24 14:16
"Concerto for Clarinet" Artie Shaw
Orchestral arrangement parts may be rented from G. Shirmer. The last phone # I had was, 914-469-2271.
Work originally featured Artie Shaw and his orchestra in the old film, "Second Chorus" (Burgess Meridieth and Fred Astair), it's a written out version of the improvised solo played by Artie from only a lead sheet. About seven minutes long, it's a total crowd pleaser, fun to perform and a chance for classical players to do a little pseudo jazz. At the very least, for symphonic audiences, this work is "something different"--and quality music.
Post Edited (2004-02-24 15:09)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2004-02-24 14:47
In addition to "playability" of the accompaniment, I suspect affordability of the parts might also be an issue. If they aren't too short, Kalmus Music (http://www.kalmus-music.com) has a couple of pieces that might work, orchestrated versions of: Pierne's "Canzonetta" (3.5 minutes) and Klose's "First Air Variee" (8 minutes). Search Amazon.com for a recording of the Pierne with piano. I don't know if the Klose has been recorded.
Southern Music has Ewazen's "Ballade for Clarinet, Harp and Strings." There is a recording of this by Charles Neidich on Albany Records' (TROY 477). IMO, this is really a nice work and the appropriate length. You would have to determine if the accompaniment is beyond your orchestra's capabilities. I don't know what Southern's rental fee would be but they are reasonable on some other items. Go to:
http://www.smcpublications.com/catalog/music/orchestra/orchestra_rental.htm
You will find a few other works for clarinet and orchestra to consider, including the Rabaud, "Solo de Concours" and Makris "Intrigues." The only thing I know about the Makris is that there is a Makris woodwind competition at Colorado State University (for students other than CSU students). The winner gets $2,500 and a performance with one of their ensembles. You can read about it here:
http://www.bands.colostate.edu/Events/Competition.htm
Finally, a piece that might work is Paul Ben Heim's "Pastoral Variee." I don't have a clue how to find the music, though, or how much it would cost. It might have to come from Israel. You can listen to an mp3 recording of it at:
http://www.classicalarchives.com
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-02-24 22:16
? Max Bruch double concerto for clar and viola and orchestra. Slightly longer than you want and difficult to balance with viola. However a lovely underperformed piece. Goes down well with the listener.
? Tartini Concertino (nicely cobbled from two violin sonatas). Really nice to play and lovely for the audience.
? Think there could be an orchestration of V-Williams Six English Folk Songs.
happy hunting,
BobT
BobT
Post Edited (2004-02-24 22:17)
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Author: lyn
Date: 2004-02-25 12:18
Thanks for the good suggestions, keep 'em coming!
Um, but again....gotta stay under 15 minutes - Finzi's Concerto won't cut it...
I ordered a bunch of these from Pepper's on approval - really am looking forward to checking out the Artie Shaw - I think I've heard it before, they would definitely be game for something like that.
Lynn
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2004-02-25 13:24
William actually wrote his message while I was writing mine so I didn't see it before I posted. I also considered mentioning the Shaw. It's great fun. Two things you should be aware of: (1) the last time I saw, the rental for the parts was about $250, (2) you will need a solid drummer -- not always the strong suit of community orchestras. There are several recordings available, including Artie Shaw (in several releases, though none may be currently in print), John Bruce Yeh and Sharon Kam. If you can find it, Shaw's is (of course) the definitive performance, particularly for the "ornamentation" but the sound leaves something to be desired. Kam plays the whole thing very well, IMO. Yeh had a problem with the long slow slide (from G5 to G6) and I don't know why it was left in the release. I'm sure he can play it right and, with digital recording technology, it could have been fixed easily. The only reason I can think of is that, perhaps, Reference Recordings does not mix takes.
Best regards,
jnk
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