 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amy
Date: 2000-05-12 04:22
I've got an audition for a youth orchestra (a pretty prominent one)on Saturday. I just thought I would get some advice on what piece to audition with. I am going to play a solo piece and so far my decision is on Weber's Concertino-a fairly simple, but showy piece. I'm playing it because I know it really well, but I also played it last year for the same audition (which I didn't win). So I'm wondering if I should play something that may be considered a little higher level than the Concertino-perhaps Rossini Intro, theme and Var., or 2 movements of the Mozart Concerto. I'm curious if that anyone thinks that will be more impressive. It's really only a minor detail, because I'm sure I'll be judged on my ability and not the piece I choose. But I thought I'd see if anyone had any advice on the matter.
Thanks ~Amy~
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-05-12 04:44
I have played the Concertino before and I really like the variety of it. It has two slow parts, and many technical areas. There are also articulation parts and as you said, it is a showy piece.
I have my jury next week and my teacher decided to have me do the first movement from the Weber Concerto No. 1. I did this last year for my college entrance audition. I wanted to play something else, but she said that it would be like a "before" and "after" picture. It would be from them listening to me one year to the next. Also, I am comfortable with it and being comfortable sometimes makes all the difference. I wouldn't and I'm sure you wouldn't want to play something that wasn't familiar to you.
Sometimes its not what you play, but how you play it. Judges would rather hear a good performance than a bunch of mistakes.
Good luck!
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-05-12 19:06
Amy wrote:
-------------------------
I've got an audition for a youth orchestra (a pretty prominent one)on Saturday. I just thought I would get some advice on what piece to audition with. I am going to play a solo piece and so far my decision is on Weber's Concertino-a fairly simple, but showy piece. I'm playing it because I know it really well, but I also played it last year for the same audition (which I didn't win). So I'm wondering if I should play something that may be considered a little higher level than the Concertino-perhaps Rossini Intro, theme and Var., or 2 movements of the Mozart Concerto. I'm curious if that anyone thinks that will be more impressive. It's really only a minor detail, because I'm sure I'll be judged on my ability and not the piece I choose. But I thought I'd see if anyone had any advice on the matter.
Thanks ~Amy~
Amy -
Choosing your audition piece is not a "minor detail." If you play a piece you're bored with, that will be what the judges notice. There will be lots of good players at the audition who can play all the notes. What counts - what makes the difference between first chair and third chair, or no chair - is the excitement and personality you project, in music you care deeply about.
The Weber Concertino is some of the greatest music we clarinetists have. It's "better than it can be played" -- that is, no player, no matter how good, can bring out everything there is in the music. You can play it hundreds of times and learn something new each time.
There are lots of things about the Concertino that are not immediately obvious, and there are lots of things that you won't notice unless you know something about opera. I (modestly) point you to my (very) long posting at <A HREF=http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?id=14529>http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?id=14529<A>.
With the Concertino, you can walk out on stage and hit them between the eyes with an operatic messa di voce on your very first note. The first note is your best opportunity to make them sit up and think "YESSSS!" After 5 notes, they've already made up their minds.
Therefore, if you can get excited about it again, by all means play the Concertino.
Best regards. Knock 'em dead.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Amy
Date: 2000-05-12 23:27
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to go ahead and play the Concertino, because I really feel that that is the piece I'm most confident with. I'll do my best to bring out the most excitment in the piece that I can, and hopefully it will earn me a spot.
~Amy~
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Author: Dave Lee Ennis
Date: 2000-05-24 10:39
Sorry to be late, but I have also played the Weber Concertino and entirely agree with Ken Shaw. If you can play that piece well and get as much out of it as you can to show that you are a good, talented player, then use that piece. If not, then use another piece that you know you can play and show plenty of ability. The choice of piece DOES matter - I agree with Ken, but as you said earlier, you shouldn't worry about it too much. You're showing off your ability to play the clarinet, and not the composers ability to write his wonderful piece.
(I can just hear the disagreements around the corner....)
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