 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2013-08-03 03:00
Since there are lots of musicians on this board who have played many auditions and facilitated auditions, I'm hoping I can get some good advice on this! I'm asking about this specifically for just an ensemble placement audition, but it really also applies to any audition.
FYI, the excerpt in question is a 6/8 excerpt at the end of the act III ballet from Verdi's Sicilian Vespers. I know that some of my colleagues are going to be tempted to take the excerpt as fast as they can possibly play it. I have listened to the excerpt and have determined that musically, playing it at lightning-speed changes the excerpt completely. In past auditions, I have always strictly adhered to specified tempos because I know that my clarinet instructor hears the excerpts at those exact tempos. However, I am paranoid that not playing it as fast as I can could possibly put me below my colleagues who choose to play it faster.
In your opinion & your experiences, would it be smarter to adhere to the tempo written, or to prove my technique by playing it faster?
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-08-03 03:22
First, listen to a recording, to find out how the passage works in performance and in context.
Never play faster than perfect.
Never play faster than beautiful.
Play phrases, not notes. This is OPERA. Everything must sing. A million fingers mean nothing if you don't make music.
Besides, if the audition committee wants it faster, they'll ask you. You'll have the advantage of having just played through it once, so you'll know how it goes.
Ken Shaw
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-08-03 13:26
Play it musically. If your tempo is right and the people hearing the audition are musically competent, lightening speed where it isn't appropriate won't impress them. The extra speed, if anyone else plays it that way, is of no benefit if the music will never be played at that tempo. If the committee (or music director) wants to hear fast playing, another excerpt could have been included for the purpose.
Karl
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2013-08-05 15:59
When you mentioned Sicilian Vespers, it brought back memories of playing a band transcription of the overture many years ago in college. Very nice music, but not easy!
You've been given good advice. Since you've listened to recordings, it might also be helpful to watch this Act 3 ballet performed on YouTube.
If I remember correctly, you mentioned wrist issues a couple months ago--any improvement?
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2013-08-06 00:01
I did watch a Youtube recording, with Riccardo Muti conducting. He actually took the excerpt about 8 clicks slower than the tempo I was given! Taking it at a slow-ish tempo (for me) is great, because it allows for much expression... playing it faster just turns it into a boring etude!
Wrist issues come and go. I haven't had the aching and shooting pains that I had in June, so that's definitely a relief!
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2013-08-06 00:36
Good to hear that your wrist is better.
You were wise to listen to a recording and watch a performance on YouTube. It seems to me that you've figured out the best solution--to play it at (or very close to) the tempo at which it is commonly performed. Good luck!
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