 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: William
Date: 2010-09-29 15:19
By John Adams. Just curious, given the "maddening" wind ensemble version clarinet parts, how many of you have played this and what your opinions are?? Some say this is an example of "serious minimalistic music". Others hold that is is only valid as an "accompaning sound track to a visual chaotic sequence of events", such as a train wreck, galatic collision or a tornado in action--not worthy of the label, "serious music". If you've played it or heard it, what do you think??
fwiw--John Adams gave the clarinet world, "Gnarley Buttons"--title corrected thanks to Ken......
Post Edited (2010-09-30 01:11)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2010-09-29 15:24
When I heard this first in Music History class a few years back, I thought it was very cool. I don't think it's as good as Nixon in China though, but still a great piece. But then again, my repertoire from college consisted mostly of Baroque and 20th Century music. There's not that much Classical and Romantic rep for oboe.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-09-29 15:34
I got away with not playing this in one of the concert bands I used to play in - only as they didn't do it (though did some other things that alienated the audience).
Can't say I'm a particularly huge fan of minimalist or modernist music.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-09-29 15:42
Well, this particular "minimalist" piece is short, quirky and "to-the-point."
My first exposure to it was in the Northshore Concert Band. It was just used as one of the initial pieces in a concert to get the audience reved up a bit. It does work, you just can't take it too seriously. It's more akin to a Rossini overture than a Beethoven symphony.
............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2010-09-29 16:09
I played it I played it I played it I played it I played it I played it
kinda fun it's kinda fun it's kinda fun it's kinda fun it's kinda fun it's kinda fun it's kinda fun it's kinda fun it's kinda fun it's kinda fun it's
interesting it's kinda fun interesting it's kinda fun interesting it's kinda fun interesting it's kinda fun interesting it's kinda fun interesting it's kinda fun interesting it's kinda fun I played it I played it I played it I played it
it's kinda fun it's interesting it's kinda fun.
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2010-09-29 17:25
LOL, Marlboroman. It's the repetitiveness of its clarinet part that is driving me crazy and your answer kind of captures that.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2010-09-29 18:25
;)
I remember performing once about 12 years back--the orchestral version. We didn't spend too much rehearsal time on it, but it was fun.
Better hope your woodblock player doesn't get carpal tunnel.
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2010-09-29 19:48
How about the clarinet theme of the film , Beetlejuice, at least it's tuneful. Never seen the notation though , hope it's in C major.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-09-29 21:38
We had "Short Ride..." programmed until we saw the rental fee (orchestral version) -- as I recall it was close to $800 for around an 8 minute piece -- too rich for the community orchestra budget.
And the name of the clarinet concerto is "Gnarly BUTTONS" though playing it will likely turn gnarly fingers into, well ... gnarly fingers.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2010-09-29 22:43)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dan Oberlin ★2017
Date: 2010-09-29 22:26
The wind ensemble version we played had two solo clarinet parts in A (presumably the orchestral clarinet parts) plus the usual three parts for B flat clarinet. We used the A's at the first rehearsal but decided not to bother with them after that. I had some pain that persisted for a couple of hours after rehearsals and which I attributed to the repetitive motion - never had it before or since. It was a good exercise in concentration.
D.O.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2010-09-30 01:10
10-4 Ken, "Gnarley Buttons" it is. Thanks for the correction.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
