The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Please give comments on my excerpt

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-01-09 14:00

When you play the second movement of the Mozart Concerto think of 2 dancers moving elegantly and very romantically. So the piece is a visual dreamy feel. As you move your fingers lift them slowly and press them down very slowly as well, to obtain the gracefulness. Generally as the notes move up you < mf to f and as the notes move down the scale > to p often. So we want to be expressive. I almost think it was Mozart writing about himself dancing on a Friday night with a beautiful lady. Read on and you will see why. There were no radios or TV's then.

In theory I think this is one of the harder pieces to play. I'd rather play Capriccio Espagnol any day over this second movement; also Mozart's Quintet, second movement.

A finger exercise you can try is pressing down on the keys and then lifting them off of the keys to gain complete control of the tiny finger muscles which tend to have their own little brain in each finger. Often just play a few measures and move your fingers as slow as possible and forget about the rhythms as you practice. Look into a mirror.

What happens is the audience, or in your case the audition committee FEELS this romance and it's not just notes popping up and down on the horn as your fingers hit the keys.

A really excellent etude is Rose 40 book, the first etude in the book. This covers everything I've said. A must for everyone to study. I think I have it memorized because it is that challenging to be done correctly.

The last few notes of the second movement start with C, D, E, and F, F ,F , and F. Your tongue should just barely touch the reed on these notes. The last F I end with air support and control, not my tongue, because you are the only player playing. The orchestra has stopped so you fade out this F from p to pppp. This lasts one beat longer than when the orchestra stops. I think Mozart intended this moment to be a KISS between the male and female dancers, perhaps Mozart himself. It has been noted that Mozart was a ladies man and loved to dance. That special moment was just for them. This extra second after the music stopped. Was this that passion between 2 dancers? Maybe? It is odd to hold over a note when the orchestra has stopped.

Every time I've played the Concerto and the Quintet ended with standing ovations and I think it is due to giving the audience that feel of emotional experiences for just a few minutes the music has touched their hearts. I didn't do this alone of course, I had good orchestras, the conductor, and for the quintets good musicians that were willing to put in about 20 plus hours of rehearsals to make it click.

Please post a recording the Mozart if you wish!

Yes music is powerful.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

Post Edited (2018-01-09 14:13)

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics