The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mandypants413
Date: 2018-07-17 19:43
For all of the colleges I need to audition for, they want two contrasting pieces.
I have three prepared, Debussy's Premiere Rhapsody, Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, and Messager's Solo de Concours.
I was considering choosing the Debussy and Messager, but if you guys have any input it would be greatly appreciated Thanks!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2018-07-17 19:51
The Debussy is unique enough to contrast against Messager but for my money, I'd go with the Mozart as its pair.
Impressionist/Classical
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2018-07-17 21:00
It is important for all auditions to find as much about the auditioners as possible. With identical performances, such as audio recordings, and different people making the decisions, there will be different results. I know a lot about the auditioners after hearing what they say about my performance.
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Author: Cappuccino
Date: 2018-07-18 12:49
Messager and Mozart would be a good option.
Messager is fairly technical and it contrasts Mozart well enough.
Debussy is only technical on the last page, and you may not get all the way to that on an audition if they cut you off before then (time's sake).
Alexander May
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFZta2RG4iM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh8O5DC4Tqs
"Looking at art, you're looking at the result of a philosophy." - John Emmett
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2018-07-18 16:47
Debussy isn’t technical until the last page?!?
Because of the three that you have, two romantic/French and one classical, I think you have to keep the Mozart. If you can play Mozart well with the appropriate phrasing, performing it as a classical period piece as opposed to a romantic period piece — and then you perform Messager or Debussy well, that’s a wonderful combination.
I’d choose the Debussy.
Are you going to take pre-audition lessons with your prospective professors? They are more important sources of advice than our opinions here.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2018-07-18 22:29
Debussy is highly technical in terms of legato, breath control, pitch, etc and musicality.
Tough piece!!! (considered for sure).
Poulenc Sonata is a standard also for College Auditions (note though, some Teachers have heard it so much that they are literally sick of hearing it).
Messager is ok, I'm not a huge fan as it is not a very musically deep work.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-07-20 05:56
I think ALL of the pieces are technical and musically challenging. The last page of Debussy surely is perhaps the hardest of this piece, but musically the beginning is VERY hard too. I kind of compare all pieces as difficult. My recent last tour was hard and to be honest I find playing slow pieces very meaningful if done right. For example lifting your fingers of the keys slowly and pressing down the keys slowly with amazing breathing control will draw great attention to the people you are auditioning for.
When auditioning rhythm is first. Then sound. I firmly believe in playing long tones everyday for 30 to 45 minutes as warm ups.
At the auditions if playing live, they will cut you off a lot. Such as they will want to hear the beginning of the Mozart, then maybe the last page of the first movement, part of the second movement to hear your sound, and parts of the 3rd.
Unevenness with the Mozart 16th notes you are doomed. Thus the reason why I suggest playing one piece really well. Same with Debussy. Those whole tone scales. I agree that the last page is hard, but the first page might be harder if you don't play it with a flowing feel or if you miss a note.
I personally think if you play one piece GREAT forget about the second they are asking for.
They WILL ask for scales, 4 sharps and flats, including minors, and sight reading. Usually the sight reading are excerpts of orchestra music. So know your harder pieces, Mendelsohn's 3rd and 4, Beethoven 6th and 8th, Capriccio Espagnol, maybe Daphnis et Chloé but very unlikely unless you are going after Curtis, Eastman, Northwestern, Juilliard, possibly Peabody, since Anthony is there. Not not all of Daphnis et Chloé, just that opening starting with A and then it changes keys. All of the winds play this. Brahms 6th, the slow movement. These are most of the ones you might see.
One time Pines of Rome was the sight reading piece. I had played that before so got lucky.
Have a great time! Best of luck. Stay in touch or email me if you have questions. Knowing what schools you want to go to might help. You can send a recording my way for comments.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2018-07-21 17:24
As a former University and conservatory teacher I would have preferred the Debussy and Mozart. If you play them well and "musically" it's impressive. They show everything needed for a college audition.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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