The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: cfoss
Date: 2008-11-28 02:12
Hello,
I am a high school senior and I am hoping to go on to college for music. I was hoping to do a solo with my high school band and possibly with one the community bands I'm in but then I realized that all the repertoire I have studied is for clarinet and orchestra. I unaware of any pieces for clarinet and concert band other than an arrangement of Weber's Concertino. While I enjoy playing this piece I am really curious to explore other literature for clarinet and band. Please, if you have suggestions let me know. I would also be open to a piece for bass clarinet. The final choice however may be limited by the collective skill level of my high school band. A medium(this is subjective of course) level piece - such as most of Leroy Anderson's works - is at the far reach of my band. I look forward to hearing about your favorite songs for clarinet and band!
Chris Foss
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-11-28 02:25
Many of the standard repertoire pieces for clarinet and orchestra, or clarinet and piano have since been arranged for clarinet and band.
The problem is that they are increasingly difficult to find (some have gone out of print) and many have become quite expensive to purchase.
There have been arrangements done of the different Weber Concerti and Concertino, the Mozart Concerto, and standard solos by Cavallini, Messager, Rossini, Andre-Bloch, Lefebvre, Spohr and even the Poulenc Sonata. (I'm probably leaving out quite a few others)
Their effectiveness varies with the individual arrangement/arranger.
As we've also recently discussed there are different choices in the transcription of K.622 for wind ensemble. The Rondo movement only (arranged by Casteel/Kendor Music) or full arrangements by Robert W. Rumbelow (Alfred Music) or Hunsberger should all still be available.
...GBK (who still has a fondness for Morrisey's "Interlude" for clarinet and band)
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2008-11-28 04:47
There is the Rimsky-Korsakov concerto for clarinet and band, and you can hear it on Youtube.
I've given my suggestion, and I know what's going to happen. I know that there will be a slew of responses saying that it's a terrible piece of music!
Most clarinet players honestly don't take this work seriously. It is one of the most maligned clarinet pieces ever written. Many years ago, the Instrumentalist magazine had an article about the the worst compositions ever written for the clarinet, and this concerto made the list. My clarinet professor in college dismissed it with the words, "It's pretty bad."
Now you're probably thinking, "I don't think I really want to play this." Yet, there are other factors to consider. The concerto has moments of real beauty, especially in the second (slow) movement. The concerto does not represent the best of Rimsky-Korsakov, but it's still very pleasant music that I think an audience will enjoy. I don't think the band parts are all that difficult.
When I was in high school many years ago, we had a very talented trombone player who played Rimsky-Korsakov's concerto for trombone and band. I enjoyed the music, and soon learned that Rimsky-Korsakov also wrote a set of variations for oboe and band as well as a concerto for clarinet and band. I was not familiar with this concerto (it is very seldom performed), and I ordered it and played the second and third movements at district solo and ensemble festival. My judge enjoyed it, and gave me an excellent rating. Now, it was off to state festival. At the time, I didn't know that this solo had such a rotten reputation in the clarinet world. I played it well and got the highest rating, but my judge had nothing nice to say. He gave me the lowest possible score to qualify for an excellent rating. Later, I realized that this judge must have hated the music.
I don't think I'd perform this concerto for a solo and ensemble festival, and I don't think I'd use it for a college audition piece. At the same time, I don't think it deserves all the bad press it receives. I personally found it enjoyable to play, and I think you might as well. If I remember correctly, it's about nine minutes long with each movement lasting about three minutes.
Post Edited (2008-11-28 04:50)
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2008-11-28 09:23
I'd vote for Ralph Herman's "Clarinet on the Town". It's a fun, jazzy piece, not too long and I don't think the band parts are too tricky.
Vanessa.
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Author: giuliano
Date: 2008-11-28 12:01
LudwigMasters (http://www.masters-music.com/) has an arrangement by Donald Miller of Debussy Première Rhapsodie. It has also the Rimsky cited above (edited by Clark McAlister) and a few other pieces, one of which is an original by the late Alfred Reed.
Giuliano Forghieri
Nubilaria Clarinet Ensemble, arranger, clarinet, Eb clarinet
Accademia Musica Insieme, founder, arranger, clarinet
www.musicengraving.it
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Author: William
Date: 2008-11-28 15:08
Artie Shaw's CONCERTO FOR CLARINET. I've done this twice with our Capitol City Band and five times with our Municipal Band. It's a real crowd pleaser and fun to play.
I also like Morrisey's, INTERLUDE. Easy to play and good listening music for a summer band audience.
Don't know of any solo music specifically written for bass clarinet and band, but I've considered doing the CLARINET POLKA with a few variations tossed in as a novelty number.
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Author: cfoss
Date: 2008-11-28 23:06
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I am listening to the Rimsky-Korsakov right now. I like the division of solo lines and band accompaniment so far. I also liked the Debussy First Rhapsody for Clarinet. I can't find any information on the Morrisey Interlude piece. The Artie Shaw concerto seems really fun but, I'm not sure that I have time to learn new techniques. I am again concerned with my school band though... perhaps it would be best if I tried to find something that would work for my community bands. Just listening to these selections for the first time I am noticing that a lot of the band accompaniment is focused on the bass instruments. My band has these instruments, not in excess, but almost everyone of the players have just switched to their instrument and they just don't practice. Actually - I only know of maybe six other band members who take lessons out the sixty or so students in the band. Well, I should get back to my search. I am really enjoying the recordings I've found. Thanks again.
Chris Foss
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Author: Gobboboy
Date: 2008-11-30 11:52
Have you tried Frank Bencrisscutto's Concertino for Clarinet and band? or John Williams Vicktor's Tale? might be good for highschool/college bands..just a thought.
B
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Author: MattBowmanSmith
Date: 2009-01-25 21:53
I performed the Rondo section of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto last year as my Senior solo piece in high school. Making a few cuts in the music you can keep it under 5 minutes of playing time if needed. This piece also works well for a somewhat unbalanced band of relatively small size, and isn't too difficult.
I believe the arranger was W.A. Mozart/McCathren & Casteel
http://www.jwpepper.com/985663.item
Hope this helps,
-Matt
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Author: kev182
Date: 2009-01-25 23:33
Michael Daugherty concerto for clarinet and band.... awesome
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2009-01-26 00:00
Neither the Ellerby or Brooklyn Bridge are very suitable for high school groups...pretty tough pieces to perform well.
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Author: coasten1
Date: 2009-02-04 17:44
I have not heard the piece but there is a Philip Sparke Clarinet Concerto. That might be interesting if you can locate a copy. From what I have read, the movements are not terribly difficult and they are not real long.
http://www.encoremusic.com/1060449.html
Post Edited (2009-02-04 17:48)
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-02-04 21:48
Didn't Lyn Murray write a piece for clarinet and Band for Mitchell Lurie? I think I played it once..Collage for Clarinet and Band...?
David Dow
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2009-02-05 03:10
Does anyone have a copy of the solo part to the Shaw clarinet concerto? Is it the same as the one with piano?
thanks
www.youtube.com/nmraskin
www.musicedforall.com
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2009-02-05 03:22
Yes, Philip Sparke did write a concerto for clarinet and band -- it is published by his company. That is definitely an accessible piece. Very nice too. Lot's of jazz influence.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-02-05 03:34
Neal Raskin wrote:
> Does anyone have a copy of the solo part to the
> Shaw clarinet concerto? Is it the same as the one with piano?
Why not just purchase it?
It's an important clarinet work and one that should be in every clarinetist's personal library.
At $11.95, it's relatively inexpensive....GBK
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2009-02-05 03:40
Anne McGinty wrote a piece for Clarinet and concert band. I think I have one of the dozen or so copies that were sold.
Jupiter Canada Artist/Clinician
Stratford Shakespeare Festival musician
Woodwind Doubling Channel Creator on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/WoodwindDoubling
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Author: George Stalle
Date: 2009-02-13 16:00
I remember playing a very lovely piece by Alfred Reed called "Serenade" in HS, which I then performed after college with my former Oconomowoc Jr. High School band at their Midwest performance in 1975. Does anyone know that piece?
George Stalle
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-02-13 19:33
My daughter played that very piece with our adult concert band a couple of years ago. It worked very nicely.
Jeff
George Stalle wrote: "I remember playing a very lovely piece by Alfred Reed called "Serenade" in HS, which I then performed after college with my former Oconomowoc Jr. High School band at their Midwest performance in 1975. Does anyone know that piece?"
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Author: Francis
Date: 2009-02-13 20:35
In 1960 I played a piece for clarinet and band called "Scherzo" by Phillip Cardew. As I recall it wasn't too difficult but very showy. I don't think the band accompaniment was very difficult.
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