 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2004-06-03 02:06
I've heard the Grand Canyon Suite has some difficult Bass Clarinet stuff, and you can hear recording off the suite on naxos.com, so I'm curious as to which movement the Bass stuff is on. Thanks in advance.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-06-04 01:35
Dave, you only say that because you own, keep, and have befriended a Donkey!
Bob A
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-06-04 14:36
Bob, although the Donkey has indeed coached me on some of the stylistic nuances of the Grand Canyon Suite bass clarinet part, the technical (notes) aspect is still, I maintain, not very difficult for even the average (non-Donkey-assisted) player.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2004-06-04 18:01
The "donkey" excerpt continues to appear on almost every bass clarinet audition list. It is interesting to note that a generation ago, the excerpt was viewed as almost unplayable by many. Often, the first portion of the staccato triplets was played by another instrument, and the bass clarinet "came in" in a more "secure" register.
Lawrie Bloom (Chicago Symphony) relates a conversation that happened in his very first professional gig (under, I believe Andre Kostelanetz), where the conductor asked him if he needed such assistance.
I agree with Dave. There are many other more difficult excerpts. If your bass clarinet seals well, and you have a suitable reed and mouthpiece, the excerpt no longer need be feared.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
Bass clarinet mouthpieces and repairs
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Author: LeOpus1190s
Date: 2004-06-04 22:37
I just played it a few months back. Apparently I played it really well because everyone was so impressed but really
It's just staccato notes going down in triplet eithers. If you have a good bass clarinet it's easy to do.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-05 01:12
I've heard the story, TRUE ??, re: Toscanni auditioning B C'ists, rejecting those who followed Grofe's volume markings . The "hero" figured out that Tos's hearing of the lowest notes was deficient, so played loudly, got the gig ! Moral, dont be bashful ?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2004-06-05 19:29
I don't understand the donkey reference, though I've seen it in several threads... Mr. Spiegelthal, you actually own a donkey? Or perhaps I'm just confused.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-06-07 14:27
Yo, Igloo Bob,
Sory for the arcane donkey references --- it's a little inside joke. My wife's hobby is horses, and so we live on an old small farm (14 acres) out in the sticks of north-central Virginia, along with 7 horses, one donkey, two dogs, and two cats. The donkey is an 'almost-miniature', stands about 4 feet tall, and has a great personality (unlike the clarinetist in the family.....) You're not confused, I am!
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-06-08 00:57
Don't feel bad Iglo Bob, I've been trying for quite a while to get Dave to post a picture of himself and his donkey, for archival purposes. It's not everyday you get to see a mouthpiece lathe run by a star-stepping donkey!. Whoever does it, the work is excellent.
Bob A
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2004-06-10 01:43
Perhaps the donkey is similar to the goose with the golden egg. Hopefully, your donkey continues to enjoy a long life.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-06-11 18:56
By coincidence, our orchestra has now programmed "Grand Canyon Suite" for some upcoming concerts.
Although we always speak of the bass clarinet part in this work, I hadn't played the principal clarinet part since college and had totally forgotten how difficult it actually was.
A number of written high A#6 (Bb6) and key signatures that are reminiscent of playing a Broadway show.
The 1st clarinet orchestral excerpts for the Grand Canyon Suite, as far as I know, have never been published, so short of owning the score or part (which I believe is rental only) there is no way to prepare for it.
I'm curious why the "Grand Canyon Suite" never appears on clarinet audition lists. It is a workout.
Just to remind everyone that the bass clarinetist is not the only one working overtime on this piece...GBK
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