 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sgb2007
Date: 2006-06-27 17:49
Does anyone here have experience playing Poulenc's Sonata for Clarinet? I am interested in getting it to play for one of my auditions (they're not really auditions, they're actually more like final exams) for band during high school this upcoming year. I am wondering if anyone here recommends it or not -- I'm particularly curious about the third movement.
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Author: DHsu87
Date: 2006-06-27 18:02
The third movement is very virtuosic and fun to play. This movement is very technical, but it also has a nice lyrical moment in the middle. I would recommend it.
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2006-06-27 19:16
Any clarinetist should know this piece, and if you can play it : just play it.
It's great, not really easy, but it's an important part of the clarinet repertoire.
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Author: Cuisleannach
Date: 2006-06-28 01:00
I love the Poulenc because it really makes you think about altissimo. If you don't nail the altissimo work in the third movement EVERYONE will know it. It's a blast to play and fun to listen to, even by the uninitiated. I played it for my entrance audition into college, and it worked there.
Have fun!
-Randy
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Author: Phurster
Date: 2006-06-28 05:51
See if you con keep the tonguing light. Its very tempting to play hard and aggressive in this movement. I think it has a more suitable forward momentum with lighter articulation. Some double tonguing might work on some of the throat notes.
Some lovely moments of drama and placidity in the 1st movement.
Chris
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2006-06-28 07:07
Great piece, I performed it just over a week ago. I'm partial to the second movement. Horrible movement for an audition, but a total joy to play.
Get a good recording of it. Much of the piece is best thought of as a clarinet-piano duet. Even if there's not a piano playing with you, you'll understand it a lot better if you can imagine what the piano's doing.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: sgb2007
Date: 2006-06-28 14:16
Thank you for the insight. I am definitely excited about checking this piece out.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-06-28 15:38
Just stay away from the "other" Poulenc sonata --the one for two clarinets, one in Bb and one in A!
Bob Phillips
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2006-06-29 00:47
i just finished working the third movement up a bit for a mid-term at the army school of music (see other post).
It was fun. After a while, you'll notice the patterns, and it'll lay under your fingers. like said above, the lyrical section in the middle is a nice break. My main problems were rushing the sixteenths. I was playing at about quarter note = 160, but I would rush the sixteenths everytime. They weren't even in tempo. Beware of that.
Another thing I got hit on in the auditions were dynamics. They were there, but I wasn't making the differences between my pianos and fortissimos apparant enough. But that's been a big problem with ME as an individual (can never get the louds loud enough for my instructors here)
After I played it, the person auditioning me told me that it was a hard piece to keep in check and that it's very easy to go wild and that I did a good job keeping it in check. However he felt I was a little TOO reserved and there were parts (particularly the very opening line) that he wanted to hear me "rip". So when you see those lines that are clearly there to show off the clarinet, go for it. Loud and proud.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-06-29 00:54
OMG!
I bought the duo-sonata on that auction site, got together with another player and tried it. Its difficult, and tiresome. We decided to put our efforts into something more rewarding.
Bob Phillips
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Author: 2E
Date: 2006-06-29 04:51
I have alot of experience with this piece haha. Ive played it for two exams, a national competition and a music extension recital. After playing it so much, I did the first movement from memory for the national comp, the first AND second movement from memory for the recital. The third movement is definetly the hardest/most fun and im thinking of getting it from memory as well for an audition.
How should i describe the third movement hmm? Fast, energetic, the movements title "Allegro con Fuoco" says it all - with fire! Definetly worth looking at, its a great virtuosic finale to the entire sonata. Fast, high altissimo notes tests your tongue whilst the opening hemi-demi-semi-quaver notes (sort of pick up notes) test your fingers. Definetly gets peoples attention and great for displaying musical flair for a concert/recital/audition. Every clarinettist should have a space for this sonata in their repetoire, its really great.
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Author: sgb2007
Date: 2006-06-29 17:32
Some aspects of the third movement seem reminiscent of other pieces by other composers (Weber comes to mind to some extent), but I was particularly drawn to the energy of the piece. Now that I see all the praise other clarinetists have given it, I am definitely sure I am going to get it somehow. Thanks so much!
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Author: glin
Date: 2006-06-29 19:14
Bob,
I think if you took a different approach to the Poulenc, you might enjoy it more. Yes, it is difficult-but you can work that out over time. I played it in a recital a year ago. I died in the second movement;so slow, and it's hard to find a good place to expel air and catch your breath.
Too bad it isn't played more. (ie I've never heard it broadcast over the airwaves nor have I seen a commerical recording of it).
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Author: sgb2007
Date: 2006-06-30 01:09
I don't believe Bob is referring to the same sonata we are talking about in this thread.
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Author: robertgh
Date: 2006-06-30 02:04
glin,
There is a currently available recording of the duo-sonata on the Naxos label:
http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.553613
The Naxos website has a hotlink to ArkivMusic.com which will automatically add titles to a shopping bag at ArkivMusic.
Post Edited (2006-06-30 02:08)
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2006-07-02 02:50
Most people on this board have played the Poulenc Sonata. As for the Duo Sonata, that is a fantastic piece. I have a great recording of it. Bob, it is by a friend of mine and if you would like a copy of it, I'd be happy to ask him if I can send it to you.
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