 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2003-07-22 01:45
I know that the topic of clarinet excerpt books has been touched upon, but I'm looking into purchasing a series and I don't know which one to get.
What's the main difference between the different books (Hadcock, Bonade, McGinnis, et. al).
Also, which edition(s) is/are the most accurate and complete?
I'm looking mainly for personal enjoyment, but I also want something that can be used for teaching and is true to the actual part.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-07-22 08:01
No single set will contain all the major excerpts, therefore as is always suggested it is best to start collecting the individual parts as well as the full scores. The principal clarinet parts must be learned in relation to what is going on around you in the orchestra.
The problem with orchestral excerpt books is that there is more to learning the major works than just the exposed solo passages. There are numerous instances of lesser known (and lesser practiced) soli and tutti passages which not only find their way into orchestral auditions, but are virtually impossible to play flawlessly on first reading.
That being said, the Hadcock book comes closest to providing a good basic overall picture of the clarinetist's role in each piece. Helpful fingerings as well as interpretive ideas make this book a must for any library. Additional bonuses are the corrected Firebird excerpt, and the more difficult to locate works by Bartok and Kodaly. Unfortunately, only about 30 major pieces are discussed.
The Kalmen Bloch set of 3 books follows the same idea as the Hadcock book. Fingering suggestions and interpretation ideas are given. Bloch also gives the corrected Firebird as well as a healthy dose of Wagner and Strauss. A bonus is the Rhapsody in Blue passages as well as a few well known orchestral cadenzas.
The Bonade book was compiled in 1947, and concentrates heavily on the major standard repertoire. A large number of works (about 100) are covered, but no fingering suggestions or commentary is given. Some of the important cadenzas are also printed. There are, however, a few glaring misprints in the book which must be corrected.
The McGinnis/Drucker 8 volumes are problematic. First, due to copyright problems (GATT Treaty), some of the volumes containing works by Soviet and Eastern Bloc composers were withdrawn. Acquiring all 8 volumes may not be easy. This set is also notorious for misprints and mistakes. The full scores or individual orchestral clarinet parts are a must to see the original correct version.
If one is serious about properly learning orchestral clarinet parts, then I would first suggest starting to accumulate the individual parts (as well as the scores, if your budget will permit). After that, the Hadcock and Bloch books would be my next purchase...GBK
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-07-22 17:06
Try the Boosey and Hawkes Temple Savage books which have transcribed the parts for A to the Bb clarinet, and in nice print.
David Dow
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-12-17 20:14
I am going to Luybens in a few weeks and I really want a great orchestral excerpts book. Which one should I get? This will be my first orchestral excerpts book, so which one would you start someone out on? Here's a link to all that Luyben's carries:
Luyben's Catalog
I also play the bass clarinet, should I get a bass orchestral excerpts book too?
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-12-17 20:28
yes, but I am asking for 1 specific book and I have no judgement on which of those 2 would be the best. Also, Luyben's has a rather big selection. Also, I did ask about bass clarinet books too. Thanks though.
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-17 23:29
For Bass Clarinet look at Michael Drapkin's two books. He may have come out with a 3rd one, as he discusses it in the foreword to his second book, but there's at least two(beige cover and blue cover.)
Also for Bass do the Giampieri. It's also in two books but has some different material and reads differently than the Drapkin.
If I were you, and you're really serious about being an orchestral clarinetist, I'd focus on Soprano first. There are some people who get passed on when taking Bass/Soprano auditions because they didn't play Soprano "well enough", yet they are unbelievable Bass players. Don't let that be your fate if that is the career path you're thinking of chasing. You can also tell which orchestras hire without Bass in mind by listening to recordings. You can hear some players and you can't hear others. In short, be careful with that stuff.
In regards to purchasing scores and parts. I would definitely do both and I would not hesitate to contact people (who are still with us, of course) who are in the recordings you study along with. Especially on Bass, some people are burying the orchestra and some people you will never hear a peep out of. It might be nice to know how varying conductors like things to be done. It's like getting little private lessons on e-mail.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-12-18 00:55
And don't forget to buy all the Richard Strauss excerpt books (I think it's 6 volumes) published by Foerster. Mostly (if not completely) extended excerpts from his operas. Includes bass clarinet and basset horn parts.
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-12-18 01:07
OK, thanks so much! I'll be in a community orchestra next summer probably on Bass and Eb clarinet! I think I'll get a good dose of the rep there too! Our community orchestra plays some rather challenging music, and I heard that they played the Firebird Suite sometime this year! How fun!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-12-18 04:15
When this thread was first written in 2003, the Orchestral Musician's CD Rom Library http://www.orchmusiclibrary.com was not yet available.
There are now 6 volumes, which contain the complete parts to hundreds of works...GBK
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