Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2008-11-28 04:47
There is the Rimsky-Korsakov concerto for clarinet and band, and you can hear it on Youtube.
I've given my suggestion, and I know what's going to happen. I know that there will be a slew of responses saying that it's a terrible piece of music!
Most clarinet players honestly don't take this work seriously. It is one of the most maligned clarinet pieces ever written. Many years ago, the Instrumentalist magazine had an article about the the worst compositions ever written for the clarinet, and this concerto made the list. My clarinet professor in college dismissed it with the words, "It's pretty bad."
Now you're probably thinking, "I don't think I really want to play this." Yet, there are other factors to consider. The concerto has moments of real beauty, especially in the second (slow) movement. The concerto does not represent the best of Rimsky-Korsakov, but it's still very pleasant music that I think an audience will enjoy. I don't think the band parts are all that difficult.
When I was in high school many years ago, we had a very talented trombone player who played Rimsky-Korsakov's concerto for trombone and band. I enjoyed the music, and soon learned that Rimsky-Korsakov also wrote a set of variations for oboe and band as well as a concerto for clarinet and band. I was not familiar with this concerto (it is very seldom performed), and I ordered it and played the second and third movements at district solo and ensemble festival. My judge enjoyed it, and gave me an excellent rating. Now, it was off to state festival. At the time, I didn't know that this solo had such a rotten reputation in the clarinet world. I played it well and got the highest rating, but my judge had nothing nice to say. He gave me the lowest possible score to qualify for an excellent rating. Later, I realized that this judge must have hated the music.
I don't think I'd perform this concerto for a solo and ensemble festival, and I don't think I'd use it for a college audition piece. At the same time, I don't think it deserves all the bad press it receives. I personally found it enjoyable to play, and I think you might as well. If I remember correctly, it's about nine minutes long with each movement lasting about three minutes.
Post Edited (2008-11-28 04:50)
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