 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rob Bell
Date: 2002-06-27 20:17
Hi!
I am audtioning for the UK music conservatoires this year and am playing the 1st movement of the Eb Major Sonata by Brahms and the third of stravinsky's three pieces. Any advice and information, be it technical or historical would be greatly received!
Many Thanks,
Rob
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-06-28 07:41
Is that what they're asking you to audition with? In my day (auditioning for convervatoria) I had to play Nielsen's (hideously difficult) concerto. I'd have much rathered the Brahms ...
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Author: steve
Date: 2002-06-28 13:15
As far as the stravinsky is concerned (I did it in a recital not long back now) all you need to do is play exactly what is on the page. Be as accurate as you can and the brilliance of Stravinsky will do the magic! Remember that the 3rd movement is Stravinskys idea of New Orleans Jazz, think of that when you are playing it.
Hope this helps.
GOOD LUCK!
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Author: Jerry McD
Date: 2002-06-28 13:35
Rob,
I would echo what Steve said. I too have recently played both pieces and for the Stravinsky I would emphasize the word EXACTLY. Use a metronome. This can be difficult because of the changing meters, but it all actually comes out at the end and strict time is essential because that is what makes the accents and syncopation (see Steve's jazz comment) work. For the Brahms, one word....... PASSION!
Good luck, they are both great works.
Jerry McD.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-06-28 13:42
When I worked on the Stravinsky 3 Pieces with Alex Williams, he told me the following story (which I've heard from no other source): In a cafe in Switzerland, Stravinsky saw an elderly black New Orleans-style clarinetist. He warmed up softly, noodling in the low register (#1); he tried more adventurous licks, with no particular organization (#2); finally, he broke into a high-powered jazzy improvization, tapering off a little at the end (#3).
In the original series of The Clarinet (from the 1950s), Edmond Allegra (who played the premiere) wrote that his conception was of a cat prowling around (#1); it sees a bird, which flutters up and down (#2); it chases and eventually catches the bird (#3). (I didn't find this particularly convincing, but whatever helps....)
There is excellent material at http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1996/03/000527.txt and http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1998/03/001402.txt.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Jerry McD
Date: 2002-06-28 13:49
Ken,
When I was working on the Stravinsky this spring my teacher told me this story regarding the first movement. The details were a little more general, but the story was the same. In a European jazz club Stravinsky heard this lonely American clarinet player sitting on the side of the stage during a break noodling around sadly and softly, this was his inspiration for the first movement. I wasn't aware that there was more to the story. Thanks for the great visuals! By the way, I don't know where my teacher heard this story.
Jerry McD.
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Author: Rob Bell
Date: 2002-06-28 17:18
Diz,
Some of the colleges specify the brahms, but it is really my own choice for the others!
I haven't heard the Nielsen played in the UK for ages, anyone else?
Rob
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Author: Steve
Date: 2002-06-29 08:20
Rob,
The best thing to do if your not sure is to ring the places you are auditioning for. Where are you trying for? Let me know and I may be able to help you out.
Cheers
Steve (UK)
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Author: Rob Bell
Date: 2002-06-30 19:43
Hey
I am auditioning for the following:
Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Academy of Music
Royal College of Music
Birmingham Conservatoire
Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Rob
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Author: David Dow symphony nb
Date: 2002-07-03 15:10
With the Stravinsky a few things for thought. Try to program the Stravinsky first as this gets the difficult stuff out the way first. Be sure to breathe where the composer dictates...the long Eb at the end of the first movement make sure you don't dsharpen as the sound diminishes...be sure to play the pieces on the specified instruments...the juror may have perfect pitch...play movement two of the stravinsky at specified marking, allow some time between movements for relaxing the embouchure...give thought to swabbing between the Brahms and Stravinsky. Also, be sure to adjust the barrel if you go sharp. In the third movement be careful not to rush the ending...also I would reccommend playing the graces as short as possible. Good Luck David Dow (Watch pitch on the high F3 for flaTNESS).
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