The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-07-19 22:50
I just returned from playing two performances of Peter and the Wolf with a freelance orchestra of NY pros playing for the local ballet company.
The orchestra was contracted and parts were mailed just one week prior to the performance(s).
I'm happy to report that the cat made it quickly up the tree, unscathed, both times.
Remember kids - Keep your orchestral excerpts in tip top shape, for you never know when you'll need them on short notice.
...GBK
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-07-19 23:22
Holy cow--that's short notice indeed! I've tried out the "Peter and the Wolf" part (okay, I've also tried out a bit of improvisational miaowing..) on Shadow Cat now and then. Her Majesty was Not Amused! The stone gargoyle that sits on my piano looked as if he wanted to cover up his big ears and run, too. Therefore I'm impressed that you kept that challenging repertory ready to go, GBK.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2008-07-20 00:50
Good reminder! That's a tough part. BTW, do you have any of it transposed, or played it straight without switching clarinets?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-07-20 01:08
I played the entire piece on the A clarinet.
That was the way I originally learned it many years ago.
As I've noted before, there are at least 3 different rental editions of Peter and the Wolf.
The Kalmus edition is probably the worst. Aside from the clumsy accidentals and enharmonically awkward key signatures, the A clarinet part has a few misprints ...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2008-07-20 01:43
I played it two years ago and the entire part was in A. Not sure of the specific edition.......... Never have seen it in Bb!!!
Response to GBK--the part I played from was printed......not hand written.
Post Edited (2008-07-20 15:48)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-07-20 02:06
William wrote:
> I played it two years ago and the entire part was in A. Not
> sure of the specific edition.......... Never have seen it in
> Bb!!!
Kalmus includes both an A and Bb part in their rental.
In their infinite wisdom, the Bb part is type set/engraved while the A part is handwritten.
...GBK
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-20 02:20
Many years ago at the Eastern Music Festival they had the Bb part and I insisted that the librarian get the A part. How can you play the low E for the cat on a Bb part? I don’t know why they even print that. Can you imagine a professional player not having an A clarinet? And I agree with GBK, you should always have your major excerpts in your fingers. I mentioned that a short time ago about preparing for an audition. If you’re in the audition circuit you should be practicing all the excerpts in rotation on a regular basic and not wait until an opening is announced. Then you can polish them and tape yourself, play mock auditions etc. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 (Mozart)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2008-07-20 02:54
Glad to hear it went well!
Even though I have heard of many players switching back and forth Bb/A and doing the cadenza on the Bb, I also learned it years ago on the A and have it in my finger that way. I couldn't imagine relearning it now.
Post Edited (2008-07-20 02:55)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-07-20 05:34
>> Holy cow--that's short notice indeed!
Reminds me of a concert I had a few weeks ago. I was playing with a drummer who came from another country. He arrived just earlier on the day of the concert, I've never spoken with him before except a few moments before the concert, and we didn't speak about what we were going to play at all. Is that short enough notice?
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2008-07-20 12:13
I always do the candenza on the Bb..I find it much easier on the Bb .
David Dow
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2008-07-20 19:42
David Blumberg wrote:
"That's pressure!"
Not really David, i've done that piece on only one rehearsal which was when we all got the music. I suppose the difference is that here in the UK we don't have the luxury of being able to practice parts a week before the first rehearsal due to time constraints, lack of money etc. The list is endless. That's why we're all good sight readers.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-07-20 19:53
cigleris wrote:
> i've done that piece on only one rehearsal
> which was when we all got the music. I suppose the difference
> is that here in the UK we don't have the luxury of being able
> to practice parts a week before the first rehearsal due to time
> constraints, lack of money etc. The list is endless. That's why
> we're all good sight readers.
Ours was similar. All in one day.
In the morning, a quick spot check of a few of the trickier orchestral transition sections to clarify tempo. This was followed by a one time dress/tech rehearsal with full cast and orchestra.
Half hour break.
2 performances.
As Peter said, due to time and money constraints this is fast becoming the norm...GBK
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