 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Quido
Date: 2001-03-30 00:03
I'm currently working on the Stravinsky Three piece and I was wondering which Clarinet(s) you're supposed to play it on. On the cover it says "B-Flat and A Clarinet." Does that mean you can just pick or are certain movements supposed to be on certain clarinets? Fill me in here gang
~Quido
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2001-03-30 02:09
As I understand it, the first 2 pieces are supposed to be played on A clarinet and the third is played on Bb.
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Author: Aaron
Date: 2001-03-30 02:53
I can't remember correctly, but it's either the way the Gavin stated it, or it's the first two on bb and the last on A. I ahev never played the 3 pieces myself, but have seen it performed all too often. I just can't remember what exactly the combination of instruments are..
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Author: Erin :)
Date: 2001-03-30 03:10
Hi all... I played the Stravinsky not too long ago... the first two movements are on A clarinet and the third is on Bb...
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Author: Quido
Date: 2001-03-30 03:21
Hehe, that is whacked. I dislike my A Clarinet so I'll play all three on B-Flat =)
~Quido
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2001-03-30 04:33
I recall that there was a discussion about this some time ago, maybe on the klarinet list(?). As I recall there was a story about Stravinsky becoming upset at someone who played all three pieces on the Bb. It was either that or he did like it played all on Bb. All I really recall is that the story was about a performance in the composer's presence of all 3 pieces played on the Bb. The story triggered a debate about whether composers choose particular instruments (A or Bb) for their tonal qualities, or for other reasons etc.. Maybe you could do a search of the archives to find the discussion.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-03-30 15:28
Most people in the audience will not even care if you use your Bb or A, unless they are Stravinsky scholars or clarinetists following along with their scores (and what are the chances of that?) And even so, my copy does not specify which mvt. to be played on what, or if a switch is called for at all--that is why we are having this discussion in the first place. So, unless your musical tastes dictate a switch in tonal sonorities, or you just want to get more playing time on your A (or even Eb), I see nothing wrong with performing the whole piece on the soprano clarinet of your choice, as long as you play it with style and pizzazz. (OK, I know...... all of you purist clarinetists.... back to back--twenty paces--turn..... HORNS UP!!! and BLOW) Good Igoring everone!!!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-03-30 17:58
It ain't being a purist. Stravinski knew what he was doing - after all, it's a 20th century composition (1919), he knew how to score, and had modern instruments available. He knew the ranges and capabilities of each - it wasn't a capricious choice. We're not talking a clarinet in an obscure key here or with some range of notes not normally available. We're talking the two clarinets that any serious clarinet player will have (the two clarinets together are cheaper than a <i>bad</i> piano). They were written for an amateur no less - Werner Reinhart, in gratitude for his patronage of the Soldier's Tale.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-03-31 04:54
Mark: With all due respect in knowing exactly where you are coming from, I stand by my the main intent of my statement that most listners could care less wheither a clarinetist is playing on an A clarinet or a Bb. Even the quality of the sound we try so hard to produce (dark, resonant, etc.) is less important to the general public than the musicianship with which we perform. As most people do not possess "perfect pitch," jazz tunes need not always be played in the same key, Mozarts Concerto can sound just as good played well on Bb clarinet, and Stravinski's Three Peices will sound just as good (assuming it is played style and pizzazz) to any general audience, anywhere, on A, Bb or a combination of the two. So, what I am suggesting is that if you really want to play the Mozart Concerto or the Stavinski Three Pieces and all you own is a Bb, GO FOR IT and ENJOY the music. Sorry for drawing the "red flag" on my posting. As always, good clarineting!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-03-31 15:05
Maybe some people wouldn't notice the difference, but I think most would. I stick with just my b flat because, well, most of you heard the story about my dead A clarinet. The first is understandably on A- it's in the lower register, where the A has a richer sound. I'm not sure about the second, it seems to matter less because it is all over the range. The middle section would benefit from an A, though. The third movement would sound better on a b flat because it's in the upper range and the B flat is brighter there (actually, this movement might sound really neat on an E flat...every movement, the clarinet gets smaller ).
If you have access to a decent A clarinet, follow the composer's instructions. They're there for a reason. However, everything will still work with one clarinet.
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Author: Ken
Date: 2001-03-31 20:45
To A or not to A, that is the question. My Kell copy (1976) is clearly marked at the top of each page A on the 1st and 2nd movements and Bb on the 3rd. That's the way I was taught to play it and always performed it. I find it disappointing that anyone who considers themselves a serious clarinetist and student of the instrument would even question the ink and be that flippant just to take the easy way out. Especially, standard 20th century repertoire like the "Three Pieces", not to mention blowing-off Stravinsky himself...arrogance! The man penned it that way to incorporate that particular color/contrast not because he was trying to be cute. It's not a matter of being a "purist" but exercising/applying "musical integrity", respecting the music and honoring the piece as the composer intended. Remember, if you can cut it one-way you can cut it another. What’s next, re-writing the work to suit yourself?
If one doesn't own an A and/or can't get their hands on one and wishes to perform the piece by all means knock yourself out, we all can't afford a matching set. But if you DO have an A, dust it off, quit playing games and get shedding. <:-)))
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Author: William
Date: 2001-03-31 23:34
To All: I never meant to sound arrogant, offend anyone, or "blow Stravinski away" and am sorry if some of you got that impression, but I stand firm with the intent of my original post. Thank you and good clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-03-31 23:52
William, there's no reason to be sorry. Some of us disagree with you completely, but I'm sure you understood that some of us <b>would</b> - and many of us are far from purists!
Any time someone puts forth a statement that's patently arguable - stand by for argument!
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2001-04-01 23:26
For the people in the audience who will "not care" if you use Bb or A are the very people who, IMHO, find an instrument change interesting. Changing clarinets is a visual performance trick which never ceases to provoke some intermission discussion among the ignorant. Another reason to use both instruments, as written.
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