 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-02-16 19:42
After working on Weber's Concertino in Bb Op. 26 for several months, it's almost ready to perform. That means it's time to find another piece that I hope to love every bit as much as I've loved the Weber. My teacher gave me about a dozen pieces to take a look at, but none of them are something I'd want to spend months playing. So...I turn to you! There are pieces that are, from a technical standpoint, fun to play. Then there are pieces that are just wonderful to listen to while you're playing. I'm hoping to find something that combines the two.
Of all the solos you've performed over the years, which one stands out as your favorite to play? Why that one?
Thanks as always!
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-02-16 21:07
I have incorporated into my calculus the fact that you're just coming off the Concertino, and would like to suggest something different to broaden your horizons:
The Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie for clarinet.
I don't know if its my favorite, but it's certainly up there. What I do believe and hope is that it's a good piece for you to learn given where you currenly are.
Post Edited (2015-02-16 21:09)
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-02-16 23:14
I just youtubed it...nice piece. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2015-02-16 23:32
The Debussy is considerably more difficult technically than the Weber. If it has taken you months to master the Weber, you may not be ready for Debussy yet. You can find a free copy of the solo part on IMSLP, however, if you'd like to take a look at it and decide for yourself.
What did your teacher suggest so that we don't waste time duplicating his/her efforts -- also so we'll have a feel for what your teacher thinks you can handle?
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-02-16 23:46
My teacher gave me Saint-Saens Sonate, Crusell's Introduction and Variations on a Swedish Air, Aria by Bozza, Adagio-Tarantella by Cavallini, Solo de Concours by Messager, Rossini's Intro, Them and Variation, Pierne's Piece in G Minor, Spohr's Concerto No. 1, and Szalowski's Sonatina. Some of it is WAY over my head, but most I just don't care for. And thanks for the IMSLP suggestion. I'll do that right now. Something a "step up" from the Weber would be great.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-02-17 00:52
Of those, the Rossini and Messager are the most rewarding (from my standpoint).
I don't see why the Debussy would not work for you. I requires a lot of detailed work, but as any other technical piece, you work it until you can do it.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2015-02-17 02:58
The Mozart Concerto. It's for clarinet in A, not Bb, which may be an issue, but it's rewarding to practice on either instrument. Many clarinetists practice this piece their whole lives.
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-17 03:34
If not Mozart, Camille Saint Sean's clarinet sonata.... my son's teacher says she fell in love with clarinet after hearing that piece. According to her, Debussy rhapsodie should be attempted after you master c.rose etude, all 40 of them. My son has three down, 37 to go
Post Edited (2015-02-17 03:38)
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-02-17 04:03
I agree with the Mozart concerto. It's a wonderful piece of music and perhaps the most well-known of all the clarinet repertoire. If you want to play it with an orchestra, you'll need an A clarinet; if you want to play it on Bb, there are arrangements available.
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-17 04:16
For mozart, my son routinely does rehearsals with the pianists on a Bb clarinet while his current A clarinet is being broken in... but you'd have to get two different publication for the piano part if you are going to switch between A and Bb. Also, if you are an average human being like my son, you could memorize the the entire concerto in two weeks... I think it was easy for him because the flow of music felt natural to him, I don't know this but this is what he says.
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-02-17 04:21
Just looked at my music - the Bb arrangement for clarinet and piano that I have is by Simeon Bellison. Just be forewarned that there are quite a few mistakes in the clarinet part. I would maybe look for a better edition of the clarinet part (Bb or A will do, they're both written the same on the page) and just use the Bb piano arrangement.
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2015-02-17 04:55
http://youtu.be/e3LYP0F77kA?t=1m
but for reals the Mozart is an awesome piece you should do it.
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2015-02-17 05:35
Mozart or Saint-Saens would be an appropriate next step after the Weber Concertino. I would concur with those who recommend putting off the Debussy for awhile. It's much more challenging than it looks. It will be a more rewarding experience to learn it when you are more ready for it. I don't think I've ever had a student do it before mastering one of the fast movements of the Mozart Concerto. All things in good time.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2015-02-17 05:58
Hi Roxanne,
IMO, the Mozart Concerto is the glaring omission from your teacher's list, especially given that s/he included Sporhr's first concerto, which is far more difficult technically than the Mozart. If, as it seems, you are working on these pieces for your own enjoyment/benefit, it really doesn't matter what clarinet you play it on -- but perhaps your teacher left if off the list because it is for A clarinet. If so, and you don't have an A, don't let that hold you back unless you are preparing for a performance. If you haven't worked on it before, it would be a rewarding choice.
It's hard to know what your personal taste in music is but here are a few other suggestions for you to listen to. The Franz Krommer Concerto, Op. 36 is a joyous piece that would be, IMO, a manageable step up from the Weber Concertino. The first time I heard it, my reaction was, "I have to get that music." Now you can find it on IMSLP.
Works for clarinet solo are an acquired taste but, if you would like to explore that literature, the Osborne Rhapsody is a tonal 20th century piece that might serve as a good starting point. It will require work to do well but should be within your grasp.
The British composer Gerald Finzi wrote a beautiful clarinet concerto. While others will have different preferences, it is my favorite 20th century clarinet concerto hands down. I suspect you are not ready to tackle that yet but it is well worth a listen if you haven't heard it. Finzi also wrote a work for clarinet and piano that is far less exhausting, his Five Bagatelles. Each individual movement is short and you should be able to handle all of them though some of them present technical challenges.
Finally, if you'd like something a little lighter, Reade's Victorian Kitchen Garden is owrth a listen. It is originally for clarinet and harp but can be performed with piano..
If none of the suggestions you've received so far appeal to you come back with more details -- e.g., style, instrumentation, period, and desired length.
BTW, when you are listening to recordings of works you might want to learn, make sure you are listening to good performances. The quality on YouTube varies quite a bit. If you are on Facebook, you have access to Spotify which is a source for professional recordings -- though here too, the quality can vary.
Finally (really), FWIW, I haven't mentioned Saint-Saens here because it appears you have already rejected it. In fact, though, it was the first piece that came to mind when I saw your original post.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2015-02-17 06:01)
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-02-17 06:20
I learned the Mozart before learning the Weber. However, I'm thinking it may not hurt to go back and "revisit" it and see if I can iron out a few of the places that weren't as smooth as I would have liked them.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2015-02-17 07:06
I agree with Jack about the Finzi concerto and Five Bagatelles. If you'd like to do more Weber, the first concerto and the Grand Duo are wonderful. The Mozart concerto should be on your teacher's list.
One of my favorite 20th century selections is the Copland sonata (transcription of the violin sonata).
Other suggestions: Brahms sonatas, Poulenc sonata, Pierne Canzonetta
Post Edited (2015-02-17 10:00)
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Author: mddds
Date: 2015-02-17 08:45
Couldn't agree more. If you like Weber, why not Weber's concertos? Personally the Concerto #1 is one of my favorites.
Another one is Donazetti's Clarinet Study.
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-02-17 08:48
I like the Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite- very beautiful and friendly to play. Also, not truly a solo, but the Kegelstatt Trio by Mozart is excellent- very friendly and beautiful. I also enjoy the Rabaud Solo de Concours, Debussy Rhapsody, and playing Bach violin partitas/sonatas/concertos on the clarinet.
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2015-02-17 18:37
Mozart's clarinet pieces will reward almost any amount of effort you put into them. Not just the concerto, but the quintet as well, and also the somewhat simpler trio. There's a balance between purity, emotion, interest, and taste that is elusive and enticing, where the closer you get the more is revealed. I suspect that even the greatest clarinetists who have played these works feel they could better what they've done.
While changing to a different composer and style is a good idea. more Weber "on the side" would be both fun and beneficial. Both concertos are good, and so is his quintet. The quintet is not quite a concerto for clarinet with string quartet; the combination is appealing to listen to, and the highly expressive clarinet part makes good use of the instrument's basic technical capabilities without being too hard.
For some reason I have a blind spot for Weber's Grand Duo Concertante. It's technically fun, but musically . . . . eh. I've never heard a performance or recording that I really liked. This is odd, because Weber wrote four piano sonatas and a lot of other music I enjoy. Either Weber didn't try very hard in composing the Duo, or this is one of my many sad appreciative lacks.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2015-02-17 18:42
Listen to Reginald Kell's recording of the Grand Duo Concertante. For me, it's Weber at his best.
Ken Shaw
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