 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rob Bell
Date: 2002-07-24 11:36
Hi!
I am auditioning for the Uk music colleges this year and i need some advice!!
I am after suggestions for a piece that will contrast the first movement of the Brahms Eb Sonata. I was going to play the third of stravinsky's 3 pieces but i have gone of the idea.
I will be auditioning for the Royal Northern, Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Academy.
Any suggestions will be gratefully received!
Thanks,
Rob
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Author: Jerry McD
Date: 2002-07-24 14:06
Maybe the cadenza from the Copeland Concerto would be a good contrast. Why don't you want to play the Stravinsky? Maybe something else unaccompanied like the Sutermeister Cappricio or Osborne Rhapsody would work too. Remember you are auditioning to get into the school not graduate from it. The auditioners want a good picture of your potential as well as getting an idea of how well you play at this point, so pick something you love to play and can play well. Good luck!
Jerry McD.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-07-24 16:23
Rob,
Good luck with your auditions.
To contrast with your Brahms you need something more modern in style and something that sounds technically more flashy. You also want something you feel comfortable with (I agree with Jerry) so have you got anything already on the go that fits the bill?
Sutermeister would be good. Stravinsky is a great audition piece if you can go back on the idea. Poulenc sonata, Bax, Malcolm Arnold sonatina, Hindemith, Stravinsky 2nd movt. if you want a change.
I'm wondering why your trying those 3 colleges but not Guildhall or RCM. not to mention RSAMD or Trinity.
Let us know how you get on and what differences you observe between the way they run things.
jez
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Author: Rob Bell
Date: 2002-07-24 18:12
I am doing the RCM and Guildhall they have slightly different audition processes.
I have only just got the Trinity Prospectus and am extremely impressed so i think i will be doing the audition there.
I had thought about the Bax which I love anyway, but the piano part is incredibly difficult isn't it?
Rob
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Author: Juliet
Date: 2002-07-24 18:58
When I auditioned for the RNCM (i am now studying there), I played the 1st mvmt of the Brahms Eb Sonata and the 1st of the McCabe Three Pieces. A lot of people seem to play the Arnold Sonatina or the Poulenc Sonata as contrasting pieces with the Brahms.
Hope this helps
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-07-24 19:37
I can only say what I would do if I was in your position.
I would find something which shows that you have good articulation and some velocity. A couple of Rose etudes would do just fine.
If you need something more contemporary (if it is specifically asked for) I am not sure I can think of something in that category that will make a good audition work. I am sure others will have some ideas there.
Stravinsky is a good choice, but have the whole work prepared. If you can't play the 2nd movement under pressure, you shouldn't play it anyway.
By the way, if you aren't playing with a pianist, the Brahms sonata isn't a very good audition piece either. I would rather hear the Weber Concertino (not as a piece of music, but as a clarinet audition). But that's off the topic.
Good luck.
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-25 02:04
My experiences with auditioning for UK colleges:
I too, auditioned (successfully) and got post graduate placement at The Guildhall School, in London. I loved my year there, hated London (actually, it was more being a poor student). I've not been back, but I will - and I'll take lots of money.
I "hired" a pianist for this (quite expensive at the time but worth every cent) as the piano parts were very demanding.
Good luck!!
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Author: ChattyClar
Date: 2002-07-25 14:00
If you are auditioning for English schools, you need to play at least one English piece! Either the Finzi or the Arnold. Finzi is easy, but they love it! If you go to the Royal Music College, you KNOW you're going to study Finzi Bagatelles with Emma Johnson.
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-07-25 16:51
No one ever mentions the Howells Sonata. It has mood similarities to the Brahms, but is a good deal more flashy technically (though it does too little to show off articulation alongside the Brahms) It is English, and in my view whips any Finzi into a cocked hat musically.
If technique is your thing how about a Salon piece like Concert de Morceaux? (perhaps listen to the C Bradbury recordings on Clarinet Classics).
Both of the above would take loads of prep so you may need to stick with something you know quite well.
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-07-26 13:18
It makes a great impression if you could memorize your part, and if not at least one piece of music for the audition should be memorized. As I remember my audition I was dreadfully nervous, but somehow muddled through.
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Author: pete
Date: 2002-07-26 17:22
Rob im at the RCM and would suggest may be going back to the stravinsky or looking at the John Ireland Fantasy Sonata if you've got the time, I did my undergrad at the Birmingham Conservatoire and know Michael Harris personally, he will be looking for potential in your playing and the Stravinsky and Brahms is good bet (only advice will be to make the Stravinsky as tight rythmically) all the best in your auditions
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