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Re: Most difficult repertoire

Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-09-04 11:55

Philip,

That's a great question and Katrina is right about the "much, much, much..." comment.

IMHO, the factors that contribute to making a transcribed orchestra part hard seem to be some really hard keys that do not lay well on the clarinet. The 2nd clarinet part tends to have a loci over the break which is not much fun at times. Challenging alternate fingering situations abound. Sometimes I'd rather play 3rd and watch the 2nds and 1st struggle. Two real bears to play are Arnold's Four Scottish Dances and Tam-O-Shanter - I believe both were originally orchestra pieces. The big exposed 1st clarinet solo in Four Dances lays very well and can be sight-read. After that, To The Woodshed!

Additionally, pieces like Nelson's Rocky Point Holiday have some tremolos and scale-like patterns that are really devilish. Add a few rhythmic problems with a brisk tempo and you have your work cut out for you. Maybe Nelson just wanted a "wall of sound" effect?

I am glad that I have gotten back to playing a lot more sax (alto and tenor) in several of the the symphonic wind ensembles I am a member of. With octaves rather than 12th to deal with, I am a happier and better prepared section member. Sax has a lot of really cool alternate fingerings to use at times.

HRL

PS Bassoon parts can really be tough as well. I've played my share of them but they are still not as hard as some of the 2nd clarinet parts I mentioned above.

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Most difficult repertoire new

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2007-09-03 05:22