 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: ArundoDonax
Date: 2008-05-19 22:06
Just wondering if anybody here has played in more than one production of SWEENEY TODD and done both the original orchestration (with 5 reed books, all doubling) as well as the reduced orchestration that has only a clarinet and a bassoon book?
Looks like I'll be doing the reduced version this coming autumn (clarinet) and just wondering what you other players who have done it think? There don't appear to be any recordings around with this orchestration on them, but according to the show rental site it looks like Jonathan Tunick himself scored the reduced version. Comments anybody?
Thanks!
John
Next show SWEENEY TODD for Garden City Productions -- fall 2008.
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Author: Woodwind Nut
Date: 2008-05-23 03:55
HEY!
I'm playing bassoon for this too (with the reduced orchestration) at WAAPA this September. The part is absolutely FERAL. it goes up to high E's (like the top of the treble clef) so good luck with it!
I'm a double-reed doubler so I'm just going to play the high parts on Cor Anglais, which makes it much easier. A lot of the bassoon part WAS the Cor part in the original version, so our Music Theatre Lecturer thinks its great to use the Cor. Would that help? Or are you not a freak like me who plays oboe and bassoon? lol
Multi-Woodwind Doubler
Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Cor Anglais, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophones
Greenwood, Perth, Western Australia
0405 836 213
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Author: ArundoDonax
Date: 2008-05-23 18:36
Thanks for that information, it's helpful. No, I don't play double reeds in public (yet), but I've toodled around on a bassoon enough to know that those high E's would be a challenge to say the least. Great solution you have, I think.
What I wonder most about this alternate orchestration is whether I'm going to end up wishing we had rented the original version because so much of the colour is missing. Does clarinet try and cover the piccolo/flute licks or what?
Like so many community theatres, we never ever have the orchestra budget to have all the parts covered (heck, there are rarely more than 8 of us in the pit in total). Our music director figured the reduced orchestration would be a good idea since we would then have the majority of parts covered.
Good luck with your production Woodwind Nut, keep me posted on how it goes. We can compare notes!
John
Next show SWEENEY TODD for Garden City Productions -- fall 2008.
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