 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DLE
Date: 2000-10-02 12:03
Hi. I can't believe what just happened. My music teacher just came up to me with an IDEA!! - and even more amazing is that he's asked me to play the concerto (Mozart) with the orchestra!! - BUT, I have more than a few problems with that concerto as I promptly pointed out to him.
Firstly, it is originally written for the A Clarinet, an instrument I do not posess, or know anything about playing.
Secondly, I have the part for 'B-flat' clarinet and not the A - clari', so if we were to perform it with an orchestra, either:
1. - Parts for the orcherstra would have to fit with the 'B-Flat' clarinet.
2. - The orchestra would have to actively transpose up a semitone, or
3. - I would have to transpose, which I've already told my teacher that I will not do.
I guess my question is, what would you do?, or what have you done.
I would also take this opportunity to say that I don't particularly like performing this concerto much - I like Weber's music alot better than Mozart's so, I might try to persuade him in that direction.
I'll post another message soon, so start typing those replies now!
DLE.
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Author: Mozart Lova
Date: 2000-10-02 12:08
I love Mozart, how can you not see that he is the best. Weber has nothing on him. I also understand about you problem, with the b flat clarinet, it's such a shame, but i really think that you should be adaptable and play with them, and not make them change. If you can't think of others before yourself then you should leave the orchestra.
I also would like to say GET A LIFE DAVID.
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Author: DinoMan
Date: 2000-10-02 12:12
first of all i would like to congratulate you on your preference of weber as apposed to mozart, his music has so much more meaning and i love to play it.
I can also relate to the problem that u face, as i too was in a similar position at my school in london. I managed to persuaed my somewhat drab music teacher to the ways of the glorious weber, as u suggested, and the concert went majesticly, i was brilliant - of course.
However it didn't go down well with my fellow students who found the discision difficult to get along with. They weren't as thrilled about the weber selection, prefering mozart, and chose to disclude me from their musical selection groups. I feal u are the only one who can really understand my dilema's and fealings and i hope that u can contact me on my given e-mail address, both for advice and friendship.
Dino
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Author: Col Anderson
Date: 2000-10-02 12:28
Your a very lucky to have the opportunity to play the mozart concerto with an orchestra. This concerto is the ultimate work for a clarinetist to play and i believe it signifies the reaching the highest level in clarinet playing. It interests me that weber seems to be placed with more favour among the above response. I believe weber's concertos are not particularly difficult with the slight exception of some tecnhical things in no.2. but in no way as difficult in interpretation and style. I wonder you age also simply because weber tends to appeal more to the younger players as the virtuosity is more evident.
Nevertheless you must play what you want to play and have fun with it. This will create an involvement between you the soloist and the audience, and lead to a great performance.
Best of luck
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Author: Karlheinz
Date: 2000-10-02 13:33
I totally agree to Col. The reason behind your teachers idea migtht be that many (including me) see this concerto as the ultimate work. However, playing a solo concerto requires a deeply emotional involvement of the player with the work. I wonder, how you can achieve this witout loving your part to play. You will probably be better with a concerto that you really like to play.
Playing the Mozart concerto with a B-flat clarinet is good for practicing and having some fun with piano accompaniment. But playing with an orchestra you would have to play it as it was written - in A.
Karlheinz
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-10-02 16:08
Judging from the email addresses of some of the respondants, I might suggest that the dissention within the music department could first be settled with broadswords and let the winning group prevail. Be sure, however, to agree on the type of weaponry. Would you be using Bb Broadswords or A Broadswords? Keep us posted on the results.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-10-02 16:21
There's really no choice when playing with orchestra - it's an A clarinet that's required (or a basset clarinet, but that's a rare beast!). Youy'd have to practice with the A for a while before performing the concerto since the feel (resistance, length, response, etc.) will be different than your "normal" clarinet. If you can beg, borrow, or rent an A then don't waste your time.
If you were just playing with a piano reduction it would be a different story - there are transposed pieces for the piano.
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Author: Steve
Date: 2000-10-02 17:18
Congratulations on being able to play such a wonderful piece in the way it was meant to be played! So many are able to study these masterpieces, whether they're by Mozart or Weber or Brahms or whoever, but often, if they are performed, it is done with a piano. I wish I could have the opportunity to play with an orchestra, but unfortunately I don't. Good luck with whatever piece you do!
P.S. Maybe your teacher has an A Clarinet you may borrow.
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Author: Aaron Diestel
Date: 2000-10-02 22:53
I would suggest playing on the A clarinet. If you would try to transpose on the Bb you wouuuld have to learn an ENTIRE different piece of music. If you could buy,borrow an A clarinet, you would have the same fingerings siince ti is already transposed for you by the insturment.
So find an and A clarinet and just don't worry about it!
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-10-02 22:54
If you can borrow or hire an A clarinet, you don't have to play from different music. You play it exactly the same as you are playing it at the moment on your Bb, from the same music, and it will come out in the key of A. The orchestra will be playing in A, so this is the only option.
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Author: spencer prewitt
Date: 2000-10-03 03:40
rock on weber is by far the best i probaly like it becuase it sounds hard but hey i am a show off
spencer
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Author: pete
Date: 2000-10-03 12:16
The people here who favor Weber's clarinet works over Mozart's I believe need to do some open minded research. I have performed the Mozart Concerto with orchestra and found this to be a more rewarding experience than playing the Weber Concertos with orchestra. As you mature as artists you will probley find that playing techical music isnt as intresting as playing Mozart, Brahms etc. were the technic is all in the music your playing.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-10-03 19:52
DLE -
Lack of an A clarinet is no problem. Your teacher has one, or perhaps several, and wouldn't have suggested that you play the Mozart Concerto without intending to let you use one.
You can't go wrong by playing either Mozart or Weber. When you get as old as I am, you will, I guarantee, think the Mozart Concerto is the best thing ever written for clarinet. But if you prefer Weber now, tell your teacher so and ask to play Weber.
The Mozart has easier notes but harder music than the Weber. If it doesn't light a fire in you, don't perform it.
On the other hand, your teacher wouldn't have suggested that you play the Mozart if he/she didn't think you were ready. It's not easy to find a balance between what you feel good about and what your teacher suggests you might like. It's always your decision, though.
It's going to be *you* up there on the stage, not anyone else. It's up to you to show how strong, how beautiful, how excellent you can be. Play music you believe in, and put over your belief. As long as you do that, you could knock their socks off with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: SSD
Date: 2000-10-04 18:47
I had the same problem with my son. I play the violin and he the clarinet. I just spent $80.00 and bought Cakewalk's Scorewriter software and wrote the music into my computer. I then using the program, automatically transcribed it to play with a Bb clarinet You need transcribe the current strings into the Eflat key. This assumes that the Bb clarinet plays the notes written for the A clarinet. So far I have completed the Viol1 and 2. I need to do the rest of the string instruments since they will accompany my son. I refused to buy or rent a A clarinet.
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2000-10-05 03:00
Get an "A" clarinet (borrow, buy, ask someone to loan you an "A" clarinet, ask your teacher if he has one, ask your teacher if he can get one, ask your local music store if they have one you can rent for a while, maybe your school owns an "A" clarinet, just get one to use) , and play the Mozart. It will be a great learning experience for you. You will never, ever, regret doing it. Take the privelige and honor of being the solist.
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Author: SSD
Date: 2000-10-12 16:48
By the way, I finally realized that all of you with the A clarinet suggestions were correct. As a string player I got tired of playing in the key of e flat. I finally purchased an A clarinet for my son this week. No more transposing.
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