 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: NoodlesDad
Date: 2010-08-25 01:25
I'm looking for a little advice for selecting an audition piece for my daughter. Auditions (regional) are several months away but I'm hoping to get a head start. I'm her "private teacher" but I'm not a professional, so I don't have the insghts and experience that many of you have. In case you're wondering, I'm teaching her because she's dyslexic and has several learning challenges, and I've become accustomed to her learning style (a good topic for another thread!).
She's starting 10th grade in September. Last year she performed Canzonetta with accompaniment. It was a little challenging, but she pulled it together just before her performance and she did a wonderful job. For this upcoming audition I'm considering the 1st movement of Saint-Saens Sonata Op.167, but I'm concerned that it might not be considered technically challenging enough. It does, of course, demand a high level of musicianship and maturity. My daughter plays with a lot of expression, so this piece would play to one of her strengths. Personally, I find this Sonata one of the most beautiful pieces written for the clarinet.
So, what do you more experienced folk think? I've been pouring through some of my old music looking for other ideas (and walking down memory lane). Thanks in advance!
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Author: clarinete09
Date: 2010-08-25 01:57
Why not the 4th movement of the Saint Saens Sonate if you are looking for something more technically challenging?
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Author: NoodlesDad
Date: 2010-08-25 02:54
I've thought about the 4th movement as well. It seemed a bit much for my daughter but maybe I should take another look.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2010-08-25 03:06
The other "musically demanding" option would be to choose a movement from either Brahms Sonata. Technically those are a little easier than the fourth mvt of S-S, IMO, but require a much more mature sense of musicality.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-08-25 14:11
I assume your daughter played the Canzonetta by Pierne.
The choice of repertoire depends a lot on her technical level. If she's advanced enough to toss off Pierne's quick arpeggios easily and lightly -- see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAT3mpVmYfQ&feature=related -- she should be able to play the finale of the Saint-Saens Sonata. However, since she had some difficulties with the Pierne, your doubts about the Saint-Saens are well justified. It's pure, fiery technical show-off, with no chance for her to show off her cantabile playing. The first movement also has some very difficult spots. The second movement is less difficult, but it has to be very light and sprightly and has no cantabile.
For nothing but cantabile, try the Debussy Petite Piece. The problem is that there's no chance for her to demonstrate her technique, which you really need for a contest performance.
The Weber Concertino has both cantabile and technique, but you really have to butcher it to fit it into the typical 5 minute limit. If you choose it, you might want to read my posting at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=20&i=270&t=259.
The slow movement of Weber Grand Duo features cantabile playing and has enough fast passages to show off technique. If your daughter is up to it technically, any of the movements would be good.
I agree with Katrina that a Brahms Sonata movement would not be the right choice. For me, the sonatas are so integrated musically that single movements don't work.
She could do any movement of the Mozart Concerto. Of course everyone does it, but that's because it's great music.
The Mendelssohn Sonata should be possible, but I think it's a bit dull, and it takes a big, soloistic performance to bring it off.
The first movement of the Hindemith Sonata is less familiar and seems about the right level of difficulty. It's completely tonal, so don't worry about it being "modern."
Reginald Kell made excellent arrangements of pieces by Corelli and Handel. See http://www.internationalmusicco.com/catalog.pdf, p. 36. I think these would be perfect.
Let us know how your daughter does in the contest .
Ken Shaw
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-08-25 22:03
The most important thing is to find something your daughter likes and feels comfortable playing.
I think the Saint-Saens Sonata is a good idea. The Hindemith Sonata is another possibility, although the four quarter notes in three beats between 7 and 8 (1st movement) is a little tricky. It's a nice piece, but it's definitely an acquired taste.
One of my absolute favorites is Gerald Finzi's Five Bagatelles. The 5th one is a challenge, but the other four are very playable. If she want to play something with great melodies (that she can play with a lot of expression), this is her piece.
Other possibilities include Vaughan Williams' Six Studies in English Folksong and Germaine Tailleferre's Arabesque. I'm not very familiar with Carl Nielsen's Fantasy for clarinet and piano, but this could be worth looking into.
If you don't mind something unaccompanied, Gordon Jacob's Five Pieces for Clarinet Solo is nice. The last one is difficult, but the other four are very playable.
Finally, I'd consider Malcolm Arnold's Sonatina. If you want something technical, this is it. The first and third movements will require some practice, but I think it's playable. It's a lively piece, and a lot of fun to play.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-08-25 22:29
If she was able to play the Pierne Canzonetta, I think she could handle the Rabaud, Solo de Concours but that might be too similar to be of interest to her. Another work that I think would be within her ability would be the Osborne Rhapsody for unaccompanied clarinet. It would allow her to demonstrate her lyrical ability as well as show off some technical chops. Another unaccompanied piece that would likely be within her abilities is Jorgen Bentzon's Tema med Variationer (Theme and Variations), Op. 14.
If she has played the Pierne, she should be able to play the first, second or fourth movement of the Saint Saens Sonata. Personally, I consider it a step down in technical difficulty from the Pierne. IMO, it lays very well for the clarinet so it sounds more difficult than it is -- not necessarily a bad thing in an audition. I would not do a movement from Brahms -- I consider it (far) more difficult technically (and musically) than Saint Saens.
Since you have a lot of time, you might browse through the music here:
http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Scores_featuring_the_clarinet
You'll find many works for clarinet and piano (including the Rabaud), perhaps something that she would like. And the price is right.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: NoodlesDad
Date: 2010-08-26 03:30
I really appreciate the thoughtful insights and advice from everyone. Some of these suggestions I'm quite familiar with, while others I'm not. So, it looks like we have some homework to do. I'll be back at some point and will let you know what we've decided to work on.
Thanks again!
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