Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-04-17 19:24
Nick -
Crusell wrote three excellent concertos. He was a famous player, so they lie really well for the instrument, and are on about the same level of diffuculty as the Weber concertos. The orchestral parts are, as I recall from listening to records, no more difficult than the Weber concertos, and perhaps a bit less difficult. In my opinion, the best of the three is # 2 in f minor, op. 5, sometimes called the "Grand Concerto." Really a great piece, all the way through.
If you feel more ambitious, you could try one of the four Spohr concertos. # 1 is quite familiar and very effective. # 2 is equally good and far more difficult. # 3 is probably the best music, and only slightly less difficult than # 3. # 4 is, at least for me, the least effective, though many people like it. # 4 is for clarinet in A. The orchestra parts are somewhat more elaborate than in the Weber or Crussel concertos, and the solo parts call for a *big* technique -- theiry. Avoid the Leister recordings, which are dull, dull, dull, though technically amazing. If you can find it, listen to the old De Peyer recording of # 1, which is perfect.
Even if you know the Weber concertos by heart, they will be completely unfamiliar to the audience, and the orchestra, too. Listen to the fabulous De Peyer recording of # 2. This music is better than Crusell or Spohr, and you can knock their socks off with it.
Good luck. Let us know what you decide on.
Ken Shaw
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