 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MJSmith
Date: 2007-12-08 02:56
Hello everyone,
I am about to embark on my final chapter of my B.A. Music Education degree at California State University, Fresno this coming spring semester (2008). With guidance from my studio teacher, and my desire to perform certain pieces, we have chosen the following works for my senior recital (to be performed in this order):
"Fantasy Pieces Op. 73" (Fantasiestucke) by Robert Schumann
I. Zart und mit Ausdruck
II. Lebhaft, leicht
III. Rasch und mit Feuer
"Raga Music for Solo Clarinet" (unaccompanied) by John Mayer (not the one you are thinking of)
III. Vibhasa (Sunrise)
"Time Pieces Op. 43" (for clarinet and piano) by Robert Muczynski
I. Allegro risoluto
III. Allegro moderato
IV. Andante molto, Allegro energico
"The Hall of Mirrors" (for clarinet and piano) by Mark Carlson
IV. Scherzo
The goal for me was to choose a variety of styles on my senior recital, so the audience can experience a variety of styles and techniques of what the clarinet has to offer. As much as I wanted to have the second movement of the Muczynski on my recital, us Music Ed. majors are only allowed 30 minutes for our recitals. But I figured the 4th movement has fragments and variations of movement II in it (if you listen closely you can hear them) plus some extra goods, so it was okay to leave it off. The Carlson is a great closing piece, and I am so glad that he is coming to my recital. Mark Carlson is graduate of the CSU Fresno school of music, so this is gonna be fun!
Anywho--my reason for posting this thread, was to get some feedback from those of you who have performed the Time Pieces. Right now, I am working on the piece at tempos much slower than indicated, because I want to get the technical demands of it down. I performed movement I of this for my freshman year jury a few years ago--so I already understand the composer. But what are some intricate things that can be done here? What are your thoughts on the piece? How would you describe this piece? I can not seem to find contact information for Muczynski, because I do want to e-mail him, to ask him what was the significance of this work--other than it being premiered by Mitchell Laurie. This is a hard piece to get program notes for, since it has a neo-classical/jazzy/blues/etc... feel to it, perhaps I can write my own program notes based on my experiences with the piece and knowing what the composer has done.
California State University, Fresno
B.A., Music Education - (c/o 2008)
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Author: Tara
Date: 2007-12-08 03:55
In the September 1999 issue of "The Clarinet" Charles West wrote a master class article on this piece. Perhaps you can locate the article through the ICA website or from someone with a stash of them in their file cabinet!
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-12-08 07:30
The Time Pieces are great, challenging and the audience really enjoys it. Be sure to really explore the rhythms and work very closely with your pianist.
There IS information to be had about Muczynski and the Time Pieces, it was a few years ago I had to do some program notes but if you search hard enough, the information is just waiting to be found.
Try Google and Wikipedia.
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2007-12-08 14:47
There's a dissertation that explores the Muczynski Time Pieces. Check on Proquest; it's by Anne Marie Thurmond.
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-12-08 15:40
Hello,
Muczynski's Time Pieces are loaded as accompaniment in Smart Music. What a time saver that program is. I often perform recitals with only one rehearsal with the real pianist now, because the program severely reduces the "learning curve". The last I knew, Muszynski lived in Colorado. I'm sure with modern technology, one could find him.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-12-08 20:54
I also know of a pianist in Australia who wrote a dissertation on Muczynski as a pianist and composer, check that out too if possible.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-12-08 22:46
You should of course get the Lurie recording, Crystal CD737. When he made the record, he was at the top of his abilities, and it's truly remarkable.
I don't understand why you're reluctant to email the composer. Any composer would be flattered to be asked about his work, particularly if you come to him prepared with questions that show you've worked on and thought about the piece.
If you write to Mitchell Lurie, and show him you've already make a good faith effort to work up the piece, I think he would also be helpful. Be sure to spell his name correctly, though.
A video of your recital would go nicely on youtube. Of course you should clear the copyright permissions to perform, record and post the Mayer, Muczynski and Carlson.
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2007-12-09 13:46)
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Author: MJSmith
Date: 2007-12-09 03:42
If I had an e-mail for Muczynski, I would definitely e-mail him. There was a contact phone number for him, but that turned out to be out of service and occupied by some medical company.
My studio teacher knows Mitchell Lurie, so I may actually go that route if I am not able to find Muczynski. Mark Carlson was flattered that I was playing his "The Hall of Mirrors" (written for Gary Gray - UCLA), and the fact that I invited him to my recital. Seeing as both of these gentleman are from L.A. it is very possible.
The university usually takes care of the clearing of copyright, so when the recital is done, I will either put it on my own website--or post to youtube.
Matthew
California State University, Fresno
B.A., Music Education - (c/o 2008)
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Author: MJSmith
Date: 2007-12-09 04:35
Thanks,
I will try contacting someone in their office. That number is "not in service"--hahah, I just e-mailed a few professors who might know where to find these guys.
Gary Gray (UCLA) is from the Southern CA area--and is really good friends with my studio teacher Dr. Alan Durst, and can probably help me find Mitchell Lurie, who can help me find Muczynski. Seriously, Muczynski is one of the worlds best kept secrets in his chamber music works!
Seeing as I am doing a piece that Gary Premiered, I may just have to go that route too.
Again, thanks for all of your help thus far.
California State University, Fresno
B.A., Music Education - (c/o 2008)
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Author: Alexis
Date: 2007-12-09 13:12
I am under the impression the Muczynski is rather reclusive nowadays
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Author: MJSmith
Date: 2007-12-09 17:58
I did study with Dr. Ishigaki, but I study with Dr. Alan Durst who is also a wonderful woodwind specialist. He is the reason that I got into playing more contemporary clarinet pieces; along side of the other standard works out there--and also the reason why I enjoy playing the clarinet even more today!
California State University, Fresno
B.A., Music Education - (c/o 2008)
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Author: Wittlenix
Date: 2007-12-29 10:09
Nice programme. I'm curious to know why you cut the second movement of the Muczynksi though. It's my favourite movement. So beautiful....
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Author: Sarah Elbaz
Date: 2007-12-29 18:56
Time Pieces was commitioned by Mitchell Lurie, and he recorded it with the composer.
MSmith,
I know that Mitchell Lurie is not very healthy, but , I suggest that you try to contact him and see if he can listen to you. He is the best source of information about that piece. (and if you ever played Copland's concerto you should play it to him- he played it with LA phil with Copland).
I must say that I don't understand why you don't play the second movement. The piece has 4 movements and I think that all of them should be played.
Sarah
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Author: ken
Date: 2007-12-30 00:32
Chuck West also recorded the Muczynski on his "Piano & Clarinet" CD; Klavier Records KCD 11073.
David Blumberg wrote: In 1984 Tom Ridenour gave the North American premiere of Robert Muczynski's Time Pieces.
(fact)
--I do not doubt it; In November 1984, I saw J. Lawrie Bloom play it in a recital at Temple in Philly. His performance may well have been post Ridenour. I recall that when released, the solo became instant standard repertoire on the west coast and at Arizona State; however, took years (if at all) to make the stodgy boilerplate lists in the east coast music programs. v/r Ken
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-12-30 00:51
Sarah Elbaz wrote:
> Time Pieces was commissioned by Mitchell Lurie, and he recorded
> it with the composer.
World Premiere: Mitchell Lurie, clarinet and Muczynski, piano, International Clarinet Congress, London, August 15, 1984
Recording: With Lurie & Muczynski, Crystal CD737, http://www.crystalrecords.com/clarinet.html
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Author: MJSmith
Date: 2007-12-31 07:59
As a Music Education major, we are only given a 30 minute maximum for our senior recitals. Performance majors are given 45 minutes to an hour for their recitals.
The reason why I omitted the second movement of the Time Pieces, is because fragments of the second movement appear in the 4th movement (if you listen closely and carefully), so I figured it would be fine. Trust me, I enjoy the second movement. But often, that is the movement that is typically left off. I've looked at other programs of performers who have done it, so I am not the only one. The second movement is long, and omitting it, helps me keep my recital at the required limit.
As much as I would like to include it on my recital, I would end up going over time. I have also replaced the Schumann "Fantasy Pieces" with the Weber "Concertino," since I am doing that for the Concerto Competition (from memory). Either way, my recital is already pushing the 30 minute mark. I'm featuring a large variety of music.
I've learned and am still refining all 4 movements of the Muczynski, in hopes that I can just go over time. It is not uncommon for people to play certain movements of pieces on a short recital like this.
California State University, Fresno
B.A., Music Education - (c/o 2008)
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