 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2002-01-31 12:11
I've just started working on the Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie for my All-State audition and college auditions next year. I've noticed that except on the last page, almost all of the dynamic markings are piano, pianissimo or mezzo piano. Since it's a solo piece, how softly should it really be played? Is it right to exaggerate the dynamic contrasts a little (making the mps louder)? There are so many ps and pps that they seem to suggest a style as well as a very quiet piece. Or should I play the first three pages very quietly (except the few mfs) so I can make the last page contrast more?
Thanks,
Micaela
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Author: William
Date: 2002-01-31 15:56
I believe that your assumptions about the quiet nature of this piece are correct. Dynamics are only relative guides to interpretation and should not be taken literally. What I mean is, there is no absolute standard dynamic markings, such as "p" = X amount of decibles. Composers write what they think will best convey their expressive intentions for performance, but it is up us to interprete those markings for the conditions under which we are performing--piano acc or whole orchestra, you would interprete "p" much differently for each. Dynamics are useless unless they they have contrasting expressivenenss--so exaggeration, as long as you play within the perameters of nature of the piece, are necessary. Premiere Rhapsodie starts quitely and gradually becomes more lively and louder as it progresses towards the end. Your dynamics must be expressive, but held within this basic "floor plan." Always remember, "Less is More." The more quite you can make the beginning, the more effective your "loud" finale will be. Good Clarineting "up North"
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Author: Keil
Date: 2002-01-31 16:34
The idea behind the debussy is to have a soft yet well focused and well concentrated sound. It has to be able to sing over the orchestra/piano depending on which you're performing with. I think that debussy's intent behind using markings such as pp and p are to convey more so of a rhapsodical and intimate setting as oppose to simply wanting the sections played soft. It's all a state of mind. Traditionally, when one sees a piano they tend to aim for a very pure warm sound to make up for the lack in volume as well as draw the listener in. I hope this helps.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-02-01 19:31
Not having played much Debussy or similar "Romantic" music, I'm sure that soft dynamic level is highly important. In our comm band, we have an arrangement of the Adagio of the Mozart Conc, and I [on bass cl] find great difficulty in "keeping it down" so as to not interfere with our soloist's fine performance. Similar? Don
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Author: sylvain
Date: 2002-02-01 21:26
Micaela,
You should aim to have a very delicate and almost dreamy sound. You can easily picture ocean waves and sound listening to any music by Debussy. Just listen to La Mer or Prelude a l'Apres Midi d'un Faune and that will give you an idea of what style you have to play this piece in.
I really believe that the pianissimos are really soft, and the piano and mp should be played full enough to give a bit of contrast with the pp.
The last page is full of fortes and the should be louder than what's before.
Hope this helps,
-S
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