 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: elmo lewis
Date: 2002-05-15 02:45
I was browsing through Sheet Music Plus and found this piece-Variazioni a piu Strumenti Obbligati for solo clarinet, violin, viola, cello, and orchestra. ¿Has anyone played this or heard a recording¿ Is it a real piece or some dippy arrangement¿ Any info or opinions would be appreciated.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-15 03:55
The "Variations for clarinet and small orchestra in C major"
is a very early work by Rossini (written when he was 17 and still living in Bologna).
As Rossini was most likely still learning about the capabilities of the clarinet, he unfortunately keeps the clarinet only in the clarion and altissimo registers, and fails to use the chalumeau to any degree. The work follows the format of a traditional theme and variations.
In 1809 the clarinet was still in its infancy, therefore this is an historically interesting (but admittedly minor) early work that is performed much less frequently than the more mature (and well- known) "Introduction, Theme, and Variations for clarinet and orchestra in Bb major" ...GBK
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2002-05-15 09:41
Always impressed by our dear old GBK...
May I had that the piece is using a theme from Rossini's opera "Tancredi". There is a recording (among others?) by Wolfgang Meyer (Sabine's brother) with the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra edited by the Belgium based label Classic Talent ref: DOM 2910 45. The famous "Introduction, Theme and Variations in Bb major" is featured as well together with other works/arrangements from Italian Opera composers such as Verdi, bellini or Donizetti.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-05-15 12:22
Personally I always find any of Rossini's music a joy to play..and to listen to...
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-15 12:39
Stéphane...Thank you for the compliment (in spite of the fact that you used the word "old"). It's a good thing we are friends.
However, you may be mistaken about the thematic source for this work, as the The Rossini opera "Tancredi" was written in 1813, a full 4 years AFTER the "Variations for clarinet and small orchestra in C major" was written.
I suppose it could be entirely possible that Rossini used the theme for the "Variations" in his opera "Tancredi" 4 years later, but if so, I wonder if you know where in the opera the theme is used?
Thanks...GBK
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-05-15 14:55
Hi Elmo,
In this case, I think GBK and others are talking about the wrong work. The "Variazioi a Piu Strumenti Obbligati" is not the same piece as the "Variations in C" though it was apparently written in the same year, 1809, when Rossini was a student at the Bologna Liceo Musicale. This work was actually written for clarinet, string quartet (according the the recording I have) and chamber orchestra. There is a London recording (433 701-2), now out of print, with Dmitri Ashkenazy accompanied by Riccardo Chailly and I Filarmonici del Teatro Comunale di Bologna. Also on the recording are the Variations in C and the String Sonatas 1, 3 and 6.
The piece is not really a clarinet solo. After a very brief introduction by the clarinet, and then the orchestra, the 1st violin states the theme. Variations are played in order (to my ear) by the 1st violin, viola, 2nd violin, cello, clarinet, and finally 2 violins. Accompaniment during the variations is very light and may be mostly by the "obbligato" instruments though I did hear a flute in the cello's variation. The variations are separated by very brief orchestral bridges similar to those that separate the variations in the "Introduction, Theme and Variations."
I can't whether the work is written for a string trio (as the sheet music suggests) or string quartet (as the recording indicates). Rossini doesn't indicate in the title. ("Variations for a Few Obbligato Instruments"?) There are clearly two separate variations for violin and the last variation is a violin duet. Whether that involves two "soloists" or one soloist who plays the two solo variations and plays the duet with the concertmaster is impossible (at least for me) to tell without a score.
Very pleasant light music. Not a dippy (or cheesy) arrangement at all.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2002-05-15 16:26
This is definitely enlightning, thanks for the info Jack.
GBK... Back to the Variations in C, the theme is said to be from the aria "Di tanti palpiti" from Tancredi, or the other way around as the opera was composed later! I've never had a chance to listen to Tancredi, let me know if that seems right.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-15 18:46
Jack...Great info on the "Variazioni a Piu Strumenti Obbligati". That does seem to be the work in question, and it is a nice example of Rossini's student days, but, as you said, it is not a clarinet solo, per se.
Stéphane...As usual, your info is superb. Someday (within the next century) I will have to relisten to the use of the aria you referred to. By the way, other composers (Paganini, Demar) had used "Di tanti palpiti" for variations as well ..GBK
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Author: nzdonald
Date: 2002-05-15 23:43
by the way, there is a great CD by Alessandro Carbonare with both the better known Rossini clarinet works on it- per usual he sounds great.... this is my favourite version of the "intro/theme and variations" and one of two good versions i have of the other one (which actually can be a bit hard to pull off as it is not the greatest composition).
it's actually a bit tricky to get the Variations in C (music) sometimes- i seem to remember "Southern editions" (or something like that) doing a version that had the clarinet part in the original key of C major and the Piano part in B flat, so that the soloist didn't have to play in D major..... but i've never been able to find this version anywhere.
donaldn
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2002-05-16 07:56
Donald,
I have a version published by the French "Editions Musicales Transatlantiques - Paris" (Piano reduction). The small orchestra accompaniment is supposed to be one flute, one oboe, one clarinet, 2 horns and a string quintett. The mirror CD version is Jacques Lancelot and I Solisti Veneti conducted by Claudio Scimone on ERATO - STU 70490
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Author: Robin
Date: 2002-05-17 15:41
It may be interesting to note that the "Introduction, Theme and Variations" is not often 100% attributed to Rossini.
I would suggest that at least one page is pure Rossini, but not much more. It certainly poses a few questions so far are as interprestation is concerned...
Who wrote the rest? Not many people claim to know!
Rob
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2002-05-18 04:04
It is true for a certain part of Rossini's wind compositions, but it is said also that there were generally all approved by Rossini and generally derived from his operas. For instance, another "Introduction, Theme and Variations" using a theme from Eduardo and Cristina was written by Alamiro Salieri (Antonio's nephew) with the Blessing of the Maestro.
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Author: Dave Dow Symphony nb
Date: 2002-05-18 16:48
Alessandro Carbonare is the expert in this area of interpretation and required listening...Ricordi is the publisher and you should come up with your own articlulations and style to not sound like a clone...
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