 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Laura
Date: 2002-01-30 14:21
Hi, I haven't been on this message board for about 3 years, but i'm glad to see its all still going strong! I am stuck at the moment trying to find a piece of contemporary music for my final recital (I'm in the last year of my music degree at University of London) and one of the requirements is a piece that was either written in the last 10 years, or one that is a 'challenging 20th century work'.
I'm not entirely sure what this means, but I'd really like to find a piece that is fun to play, and also good to listen to! I've got 4 months to learn it, so it doesn't matter how tricky it is!
If anyone has played or heard any piece they think might work I'd be grateful for their suggestions...
Thanks a lot! Laura
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Author: John
Date: 2002-01-30 14:40
I once played a piece by David Burge, published by Alexander Broude (New York) in 1967. It was for clarinet and percussion and called Sources III. It was definitely a challenging 20th century work and requires a percussionist with lots of instruments and skill. The fun part about it was that it involved moving around from place to place on the stage and gradually extinguishing candles until the stage was completely dark, and the performers having disappeared back stage. The clarinetist also winds up playing a bit of percussion, too.
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Author: Marci
Date: 2002-01-30 17:32
A Set for Clarinet by Donald Martino is a challenging work as well- written in 1957 I believe.
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2002-01-30 18:42
try this piece
Wireless for solo clarinet by Peter Scholes
written in 1987, he played it when he won 3rd prize in the Gaudeamus Competition. i played the US premiere at the Oklahoma Clarinet symposium in 1995 (reviewed in the Clarinet mag).
it has some strong minimalist influence, without going into overkill or alluding too boringly to diatonic harmony.
you need to Circular breathe, do some multiphonics (not well described in the score unfortunately), it's not really that hard though- but always seems to impress an audience.
available from SOUNZ who have a website- email me if you want any info, or can't find the SOUNZ site.
also try - For an Actor by Shulamit Ran - a very hard piece, but quite effective (your clarinet professor will probably be MORE impressed, but an audience less so)
ooooooorrrrrrrr you could try my own piece Envoy, but that's a little bit too much like self promotion.... meanwhile, i'm in a rush- so i hope that this has been helpful (For an Actor is standard rep and should be easy to get hold of)
nzdonald
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Author: Mary
Date: 2002-01-30 20:17
Five Pieces for clarinet alone by William O. Smith- lots of huge skips, no multiphonics or other pyrotechnics, but a fun set of pieces that takes about 7 minutes.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-01-30 21:04
Um - how about the Copland or Nielsen concerti? Both are "20th Century", both are by recognised composers and both are fiendishly difficult (especially the Nielsen). I could not vote on which I like better - I adore the Copland and Nielsen equally (for very different reasons).
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2002-01-31 00:02
What about Miklos Rozsa's Sonatina? This work has some difficult parts and will truly test your abilities technically and your breathing, as well as your imagination. Written in the late 1950's.
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Author: crystal
Date: 2002-01-31 01:02
I think Caravans --Excursions for A clarinet would be good. It involves extended technique which is always a good thing to expand on your clarinet abilities
It's definitely different go for it!
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Author: Julianna
Date: 2002-01-31 02:32
Caravan, as in Ron Caravan?
professor of saxophone and clarinet at my school
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-01-31 04:53
I'm not sure exactly what level you consider challenging. If you consider the Sutermeister Capriccio challenging, then you might look at:
Erland von Koch, Monlog 3
Hugo Pfister, Suite pour Clarinette
Rozsa, Sonatina (or Sonata -- both are, IMO worthwhile)
All are fun to play and listen to.
If the above aren't sufficiently challenging, you might consider Libby Larsen's, "Dancing Solo" (premiered in 1994 so it probably was written within the last 10 years).
Longer piece with piano: Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Sonata
So much music. So little time ... (sigh)
Best regards and best of luck with your recital,
jnk
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-01-31 07:48
Herbert Howells Clarinet Sonata. The recording by Thea King should tell you if you would like it.
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Author: peter cigleris
Date: 2002-01-31 21:12
How about
Berio Sequenza or Lied (did the sequenza in my final at the Birmingham Conservatiore it was well received)
Alexander Goeher Paraphrase on a dramatic madrigal
Peter Maxwell Davies The Seven Brightness
Elliot Carter Gra
Gordon Cross A Year and a Day
Malcom Arnold Fantasy
Stravinsky Three Pieces
Hope this helps, its all standard 20th Century repertoire.
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Author: Laura
Date: 2002-02-08 23:05
Thank you so much to everyone who replied to this message with so many ideas - I've been doing some research the last week, and the wealth of 20th century music is overwhelming at times!
I am definitely going to try some of the pieces suggested, as I'm intrigued by the concept of pre-recording your own accompanying parts (although I'm not sure I have the nerve to perform like that!). As for hte piece for clarinet and percussion, now that sounds like fun!
Anyway, I'm very grateful for all the suggestions, and will let you know what I finally decide!
Laura x
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