 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-15 18:08
I have some high school age students who I would like to compete in a local concerto competition and I'm looking for pieces that might be appropriate for this age group. I'll looking for pieces that about the difficult of the Mozart Concerto or Weber Concertino... It actually doesn't have to be a "concerto" - just a piece orchestra... I competed in this contest in high school on Premiere Rhapsody... anyway.
Most of the concertos that I know really well are too hard for kids at this level. I have some recordings of pieces that might sound easy enough, but I don't have the sheet music so it's hard to say. I think they only have to play a movement. Any suggestions would be great. We have until February, so they can be pretty challening. Just nothing so hard that they wouldn't feel comfortable (I'm sure many could pull of a Weber Concerto with enough practice, but it would be too much comfort-wise... Like I could probably whip out the Francaix and perform it in a month, but I wouldn't feel "comfortable with it..." - I hope that makes since).
Somethings I was thinking that might work (but not sure because I don't have the music) are maybe:
Concerto 1, Malcolm Arnold
Concerto, Finzi
Mini-Concerto, Jacobs... stuff like that
Stamitz and such would work too, those these pieces tend to be more generic (I know that many adore the Stamitz 3), but something more original might be nice if there is enough out there (I fear there may not be)
Anyway, any suggestions would be great!
THanks
DH
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-15 18:11
Howard Blake might work too... it sounds pretty easy, it's probably in some horrible key though (that would be the luck)
anyway.
DH
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-07-15 19:15
Not sure what your budget is, but be aware that orchestral parts for some of the newer concertos are rental only ...GBK
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-07-15 19:30
The Crusell concertos are lovely, and written by a player, so they lie well under the fingers.
The Kramer/Krommer is a good piece, and not terribly difficult.
If you have an advanced player, the Spohr concertos are a possiblity, particularly # 1. I think # 3 is the best music, but it's more difficult.
If you think the Francaix is hard, take a look at the Milhaud.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-07-15 20:35
Might be difficult to obtain, but the Ignaz Joseph Pleyel Concertos!
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Author: RAMman
Date: 2004-07-15 23:00
The Dimler concerto perhaps?
Would you really call the Finzi easy???? I would suggest the version of the 5 bagatelles with string orchestra as a better alternative.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-07-15 23:37
Paessler, Concerto con Variazioni
The keys are friendly and the technique requirements aren't insane. Picked it up at a local music store a few years ago, it's a fun, showy piece with plenty of opportunities to work on musicality, and also the first concerto I decently worked on.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-15 23:59
Ken,
I am actually working on the Milhaud write now. The notes themselves aren't too bad (it's not easy, but the fingers haven't given me any trouble). However, playing for 20 minutes with 2 measures of rest is no easy feat!
I'm not sure about the Finzi... the last movement doesn't sound bad. As I said, I don't have the sheet music for that piece, so it's hard to tell... Runs/arppegios in C are a lot easier than runs/arppegios in F# - even though they essential sound the same to a listener... Is there a specific problem with the piece?
Thanks for all the other suggestions so far. The Crusells actually look decent (well, I only have No. 1). I looked at it with one student today and he seemed pretty receptive to it. Keep the suggestions coming!
DH
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Author: RAMman
Date: 2004-07-16 00:14
I would call the Finzi musically mature. Ok, it's not Nielsen, but it does present certain technical issues.
Crusell op. 11 is nice enough, the other perhaps not so much.
The Ebony concerto is different, and not that notey.
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Author: kdennyclarinet
Date: 2004-07-16 00:18
Rimsky-Korsakov Concerto is another good one not mentioned above.
I studied the Finzi while working on my masters. It was quite a challenge for me then. The reason I wanted to play it was because I had heard a recording and fell in love with it. An incredible player has the ability to make anything sound easy. There are several long phrases that require a great deal of maturity in interpretation and sweet sound in the upper register. Known for his choral music, Finzi employs a vocal-like presentation within the treatment of many of the clarinet lines. While the lines sound "singable", there a quite a few large leaps. Making these lines "sing" is the challenge. Some of the runs and flourishes come out of nowhere and can be technically difficult to achieve with fluidity. And quite frankly, the orchestra will have to be very good to pull it off.
Best of luck to you and your students!
K. Denny
BME, MM, DMA
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2004-07-16 00:51
I would second Krommer (Op. 36) and Crusell (any of the three) for your purposes. Eybler might also be a possibility. (IMO, more interesting than some of his contemporaries.)
If you want something a little more obscure (and perhaps a little easier, technically), JB Linear (a sponsor) has edited a Yost Concerto that should be appropriate. The last time I checked, he was selling the orchestra parts very inexpensively, too.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Drenkier_1
Date: 2004-07-16 01:36
Hey Don, what made you want to play Clarinet when you used to play flute? Personally, I think its freakin awesome you made state your 2nd year of playin. Sorry if you had your hopes up for a board message hehehe. But Let me think.... Mozart Clarinet Concerto the Romanze is a REALLY GOOD one for orchestra and its not too hard, but you may need an A Clarinet. But please I want to know why you switched.
Kevin Collins
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-07-16 01:50
Dunno about Don, but I switched in my second year of high school after 7 years of flute. It was largely because most of my friends were clarinetists and all but a couple of the flutists weren't all that nice. In effect, it's where all the cool (note that the term is relative) people were. 5 years after graduating, I still see most of them at least twice a year.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-16 03:39
Kevin Collins,
Do I know you? I see your web addy thing is hstntx.swbell.net. Are you the clarinetist who was at San Jac for a lesson with Chester after mine (if not, his name was Kevin too...)
EEBaum... Oh My God! That is EXACTLY why I switched. My friends were all clarinetists and the only nice flute (who was my friend also) was quitting band the following year. I mean, the flutes weren't mean, but they were certainly a lot less fun than the clarinet section. Marching band was SO much more fun after I switched to clarinet (although it was nice being able to carry my instrument (piccolo) in my hat box). Unfortunately, I can't offer a more musically profound reason = )
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: Drenkier_1
Date: 2004-07-16 14:32
HAhaha you caught me yup I was the kid who was sitting on the bench. I was in awe when i heard you and him! Cause I'm only a freshmen and I've never taken from a professor before. But yea, I was the one who shook your hand and everything, your really freakin good man! I hope Chester can get me to that level soon.
Kevin Collins
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Author: Gazebo Dealer
Date: 2004-07-16 22:09
Mr. Hite,
Are you looking specifically for concertos? Because I know there are many non-concerto pieces out there that would progress your students as fast and if not faster than most concertos. But of the concertos, in my opinion the Stamitz concertos lack depth and originality. I love the Crusell Concertos because of their catchy themes. And the Spohr concertos are beautiful, it's just sad that Crusell and Spohr are neglected when it comes to orchestra rep.
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-16 23:05
They don't have to be "concertos" specifically, but they do need to have orchestral accompaniment because the winners have to perform their piece with the local symphony which sponsors the contest. Someone else had suggested Five Bagatelles with orchestral accompaniment, which is an excellent idea. Anything else like this would also work i suppose.
DH
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Author: Drenkier_1
Date: 2004-07-17 00:08
What about Weber Grand Duo Concertant? It's for clarinet and piano. I played it in 8th grade, the 3rd movement. I highly reccomend this piece for any solo competition. Not sure if this helps.
Kevin Collins
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