 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Bass1193
Date: 2004-06-27 02:36
Hola all!!
I thought I'd open a discussion on concert band liturature that's fun to play, and wether it is actually signifigant musically. I'd love to here yall's comments; this is some of the funnest music I've played!!
Fiesta del Pacifico by Roger Nixon: I played bass on this tune, and we had no bassoon player at the time, so I got all the big (and Fun, though rather simple) solos. The constant "up-beats" proved to be rather difficult for some people. And there's this one part when the first clarinettist, Ali Nemirow, had a crazy seudo-chromatic run that absolutely flew! It's a great tune.
English Folk Song Suite by ??: I loveed this piece, even though I was playing Alto Sax at the time. There were several beautiful clarinet solos, and the harmonic structure was to die for.
Hammersmith by Holst: The only thing I hated about this tune was the lack of a bass clarinet part. But, I did get to play the tuba part. I love the way it begins, so myserious and smoky, and slowly this fun melody appears.
To Tame the Perilous Skies by Holsinger: Wow! Obviously technically difficult, as the woodwind part (at least for Alto Sax) is composed of "up and down" runs. The best way to prepare for this tune is to practice evey scale type in every key in sextuplets at about quarter equals 150. It begins with a very imaginative percussion soli (paperclips on cymbols, etc...) There are several beautiful melodies in it, soaring brass lines that evoke a "dog fight" by airplanes.
Other greats that I've played: Inchon, The Hounds of Spring, Chorale and Capriccio (I've been told that this is the first tune ever written specifically for concert band), Parade of the Tall Ships, A Festival Prelude, Fanfare and Evocation (rather elementary, but pretty), Inglesina, Cajun Folk Songs (including La Belle et la Capitaine, a Tichelli work if I remember correctly), The Cowboys (harder version). These are all I can remember now, but I'm sure there are more! Tell me about pieces that you've played, or if you like any of these songs. Also, has anybody listened to the band playing Terpsichore at the Manhattan Music website? I feel bad for them if there were many people at that performance; it wasn't so great ;?) Too bad for them!!
Sean
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bass1193
Date: 2004-06-27 02:48
Oops. That posted twice
p.s. I'm a youngster yet, and I hope what I'm saying is right, but if it's not then give me a shout so that I may stand corrected!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-06-27 02:59
Sibelius' Finlandia usually makes good band arrangements.
So does themes from Batman and Robin.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bass1193
Date: 2004-06-27 03:02
Hola!
At least Armenian Dances is marked with the "Indicates an especially good (or fun) clarinet part" indicator. It's an Alfred Redd, and it's probably good music. I wonder how the author of that article arived at his (/her) decisions regarding quality.
Cheers,
Sean
p.s. I'm a youngster yet, and I hope what I'm saying is right, but if it's not then give me a shout so that I may stand corrected!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2004-06-27 06:33
I've seen that list before. I didn't like it. There was some serious bias against Reed there. Armenian Dances and Russian Christmas Music in the musically questionable section? And if I remember correctly, Hounds of Spring was missing completely? Bah. And what's with that straight run of Chance pieces in the excellent section? I'm a huge fan of Chance, to be sure, but I can't think of any composer that I'd list every song as excellent material. Blue Lake was a great song, but I'm not sure I'd put it up there right with Incantation and Dance and Variations on a Korean Folk Song (I've only played Blue Lake and Incantation, have only heard Variations). And with Ticheli, Postcard is a full two tiers above Cajun Folk Songs and Fortress? Postcard, was IMO mediocre at best, and even worse to listen to than to play. I don't remember Blue Shades being on the list, either, though I can't say for sure that it wasn't.
This is all just opinion, of course, I'll just say that mine differs a good deal from the list creator's.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bass1193
Date: 2004-06-27 06:53
I agree, Igloo.
Hounds of spring is a beautiful piece. Reed's inspiration for the tune was very, well, inspiring in helping to interpret the music. The folder that the score came in had a bit of info from Reed. He says that he wrote it after reading some poem of the same name. I can't remember how it goes, but, I know that this poem was considered indecent in the (rather prude) time period in which it was written. I remember trying to play the horn cues (I was playing alto at the time) as though I was running through fields and rolling through grass on a nice spring day. Pretty cheesy, but I think that reeds works are highly musical. My definition of "musical" might be more expression-based than the compiler of that list. He was probably uncomfortable with the constant swithing between time sigs. Or maybe he doesn't like triple meter played as duple. The only good I can see that list being is a good way to match a tune with its writer, and you can get that anywhere. I give that list a rating of **.
Cheers!
Sean
p.s. I'm a youngster yet, and I hope what I'm saying is right, but if it's not then give me a shout so that I may stand corrected!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-06-27 14:14
Just to let you know:
The compiler of that list, Roger Garret, is a professor at Illinois Wesleyan University and has worked with (conducting, assisting, developing, coaching) bands for quite some time. He didn't compose the list "lightly", and it's not all-inclusive, but there was a lot of thought behind what he put in there (and where he put it).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-27 14:45
Very well said, Mark C, we here and on the "www.bass-clarinet@yahoogroups.com" have a number of GREAT music-to-play contributors. Our Tulsa Band has now a fun piece for 2 solo cls, where the first 16-32 bars are played one tone apart !! for audience attentiion??, then less discordant. I had a lengthy bass cl solo ! in a slow blues section of a jazzy piece, which I thoroughly enjoyed clowning on. I'll get titles and publishers next Thu if anyone is interested. Are there more?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ken
Date: 2004-06-27 15:05
I dunno; I glean the Woodwind.org "Best Band Music" list as a courtesy "general quick reference" tool, not a literal critique. The breakdown of works and composers are clearly subjective and not to be taken as gospel. More, the professionals who administrate, moderate and sponsor the website boast extensive backgrounds in the orchestra and chamber fields … that is to say it's their strong suit and area of expertise ... band music is an entirely different idiom and part of the music industry.
Perhaps a knowledgeable and charitable soul might step forward and volunteer to update and manage the current listing?? (yes, I'm considering raising my hand). I'm confident Mark would welcome the help.
For additional laundry lists of band literature consult this thread:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=17011&t=17011
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-27 15:41
I recalled "my" bass cl solo piece, title, Hi Hat, also features jazz rhythms on hi-hat cymbal. Liked by audiences! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-06-27 16:42
ken wrote:
> I dunno; I glean the Woodwind.org "Best Band Music" list as a
> courtesy "general quick reference" tool, not a literal
> critique.
Please read my description of the contributor - it is a critique of band music for the clarinetist.
> More, the
> professionals who administrate, moderate and sponsor the
> website boast extensive backgrounds in the orchestra and
> chamber fields … that is to say it's their strong suit and
> area of expertise ... band music is an entirely different idiom
> and part of the music industry.
Not true. I am not a professional, do not have extensive background in orchestral music, etc., etc.
> Perhaps a knowledgeable and charitable soul might step forward
> and volunteer to update and manage the current listing??
Roger Garret is a very knowledgeable fellow in band music (please, again, read my posting); there are so many disparate lines of thinking when it comes to band music and what's posted is one of many, though it was assembled by an expert in band music (director of bands at IWU) who happens to be a very fine clarinet musician.
Since it is his personal list, it is not something that is "managed and updated" by others; indeed, coming to consensus on any list of music is pretty much impossible.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2004-06-27 17:10
Great reference list GBK, but it doesn't include any of the old circus marches that are fun to play, such as:
Americans We
The Melody Shop
E Plurbus Unum
Barnum and Baileys Favorites
Entrance of the Gladiators
The Circus Bee
These are just a few examples that come to mind this AM. If you are an old enough clarinetist to remember some others, please add them.
His Honor
The Klaxon
On the Mall
And (my old college march), On Wisconsin--great clarinet writting in the trio.
Post Edited (2004-06-29 18:19)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2004-06-27 17:18
E.E. Bagley's "National Emblem"
Fillmore's "His Honor" and "The Klaxon" ...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2004-06-27 17:33
GBK-- Please understand that my statement, "If you are an old enough clarinetist", was not meant to refer to anyone specific--but thanks, nevertheless, for your addition to the list. Other's..................? William
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2004-06-27 17:45
I'm sure that he put plenty of thought into the list, and I respect the effort he put into it, but at best, it's just a matter of opinion. We all have different tastes, of course, and my list, or Paquito D'Rivera's list, or GBK's list, would likely all differ from that list and from each other's, and we all come from various musical backgrounds (I make no claims to being even half as good as either of them!). Garrett may be a "professional", but that makes his opinion no less opinionish. And as an opinion, I just find it one hard to agree with. Anyone who can put Russian Christmas Music by Reed on the "musically questionable" list obviously views music a lot different than I do. And that's fine. So long as we do keep in mind that his views are no more valid just because he teaches at a university or has his own line of mouthpieces.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-27 17:46
On marches, some of the lesser-known Sousa, King, Fillmore s add variety. We play Pride of Wolverines, Cond. Dailey [cl'ist] U of M !, The Emblem of Unity, The Blackhorse Troop?. a 6/8, and e pluribus unum [meaning one of/from many!] . Also Carnival of Venice, flute solo!, and tuba and Fr Horn solos, Konsertpiece 2? [cl duet], would like to try some Offenbachs too. A Grofe [selections] from GC and Miss suites, and Irish Tune [Grainger] are crowd pleasers currently. El Relicaro and Beguine for Band will keep you busy reading! Nuff for now. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2004-06-27 17:47
I just listed a few of my favorites (not counting the great Sousa marches - a list in itself).
A few other "old chestnuts":
"On the Square" (Panella)
"Our Director" (Bigelow)
"Miami" (Fillmore)
"Men of Ohio (Fillmore)
"Amparita Roca" (Texidor)
"Lassus Trombone" (Fillmore)
"Invercargill" (Lithgow)
"Military Escort" (Bennett)
...GBK (not quite the same age as William, but close)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-06-28 00:08
(Sigh) I wish I knew the tunes mentioned in the list. Some ARE recognizable, but many, many never heard of. Probably I might have heard the tune, but don't know the titles..?. At any rate, I hope some day I'll have the opportunity to play -or listen to- these pieces.
Great list.
Lucy Lee Jang
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: glin
Date: 2004-06-28 00:50
Lucy,
If you currently play in a band, you might want to encourage your director to have a look at some of these suggested compositions on the referenced list. If he or she has an open mind, you may very well get a chance to play these standards.
Or, if you don't play in a band, (I'll assume you are out of school), may I suggest that you find a local community band. Most community bands here in the US play a fair share of marches, "war horses", and modern band compositions.
Many of these pieces are available via mp3 from internet sites. Try the US military service bands' (US Air Force Band, for example) websites, as a start.
They will usually give you a great example of fine playing.
Good luck,
George Lin
Fairfax, VA USA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LostJitterBugg
Date: 2004-06-28 02:30
I have played tall ships and the harder version of cowboys...they were fun and tall ships is a pretty song...cowboys had some challenging things in it but it was fun too...as long as its not a bunch of whole notes and 1/2s and it sounds good who cares how it is labled...love it all...
Krista
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-06-28 02:39
Hi,
Let me put a different spin of this thread. Instead of thinking compositions, think of the great college and professional band directors and the compostions they have programmed or recorded.
The Eastman Wind Ensemble with Fennell and other, the service bands in all countries, PAul Lavalle, the Dallas Winds, as well as college and university bands at N. Texas, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Illinois have all performed the very finest band literature over the last few years. That's the litmus test on what is good band music.
HRL
PS Russian Christmas is an OK piece but IMHO not up to the caliber of many of the Vaughn Williams, Holst, or similar works. I base this statment on having played band music for more than 50 years on all the woodwinds as well as having been a director for about 1/2 that period.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bass1193
Date: 2004-06-28 03:50
Has anybody else heard the recording of Terpsichore (all four mvts.) on the Manhattan Music website? They really do have potential, but that performance wasn't too great. Not hoping to offend anybody if they were in that recording :?)
p.s. I'm a youngster yet, and I hope what I'm saying is right, but if it's not then give me a shout so that I may stand corrected!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ken
Date: 2004-06-29 02:58
Mark Charette wrote: "please read my description of the contributor - it is a critique of band music for the clarinetist."
--I did and it uses words such as "list" and "compiled". Garrett clearly defines his report as "here's the updated list, not "here's my critique". I suppose topically, it qualifies as a critique being an evaluation assembled and reviewed by a recognized authority in band music. Regrettably, Garrett didn't choose to include any commentary and a well-supported critique does include analysis with narrative, not merely cite cold, impersonal data. Garrett plugs-in 4 generic categories, 1) Best 2) Excellent 3) Good 4) Exceptional, then racks and stacks pieces and composers leaving more questions than answers.
Another observation is he attempts to pass off three totally different forms of composition as one. 1) Original band composition 2) Note-for-note orchestral transcription re-voiced to an instrument (i.e. strings to clarinets, saxophones or bones, string bass to euphoniums or tubas). 3) An arrangement of a transcription from the orchestral score. Roughly, 30% he lists (although standard works) aren't original band works, they're transcriptions. One can make a valid argument that a transcription isn't even legitimate band music.
Mark Charette wrote: "Not true. I am not a professional, do not have extensive background in orchestral music, etc., etc."
--Maybe so, my compliment was directed to both you and GBK and I think we're on solid ground declaring GBK as a "professional who administrates, moderates [with an] extensive background in orchestra and chamber fields."
Mark Charette wrote: "Since it is his personal list, it is not something that is "managed and updated" by others;"
--If Mr. Garrett chooses to exercise ownership over his own list that's his right but maybe it's time band enthusiasts forward an updated list to the man and/or ask him to bring it up to speed. Over the past 5 years, I've often made use of the list but I can't honestly recall seeing any updates since maybe 2000. From the pieces I definitely know the most current published chart is Sparke's 1998 Dance Movements, possibly one of Jack Stamp's pieces. Moreover, the fact that Techelli's "Blue Shades" isn't on it is an indicator the list could use a facelift.
Where I'm also coming from is the BBoard draws an unending stream of young band clarinetists; typically students playing in junior, senior high school and college concert bands. A managed and updated list could provide a better service and helps to knowledge seeking musicians. v/r Ken
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Camanda
Date: 2004-06-29 18:28
I'm looking at the list, and a smile crossed my face when I saw Willam Byrd Suite on there, marked with an especially-fun clarinet part. Indeed! Well, 2nd and 3rd are boring, but 1st and solo are so much fun. In my eight-person Wind Ensemble section, we had three second players and three third players. My section leader played solo (she saw the high A and panicked, hah, but she did an excellent job with it), and I played first by myself. We did the first and fifth movements, and they really are fun. I hate the second movement, though. ![[down]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley23.gif)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2004-06-30 12:22
Ken, your comments are probably applauded by at least some of us. At times some of the "politically correct" band music being offered these days reminds me of the fairy tale about the King who wore no clothes. As I recall.....the original post was about music that is fun to play. Thanks to posters who mentioned: Our Director, His Honor, On The Mall, "most marches in general....including anything by Karl King....and "even" On Wisconsin... Did I see "Poet and Peasant"?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
