Home / FAQ / News
Classifieds / Events

Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

Music Lane

What is your single-most best clarinet solo piece - any type music?

87.53.108.34

Frihed89

Stick to your guns, please.
"Live free or die"

Follow Ups:

That's an impossible choice to make - but - - kavakidd 13:44:46 11/06/09 (0)
I've derived special pleasure of late listening to Art Pepper's Clarinet solo on "Anthropology" from the LP "Art Pepper + 11"

"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain
Saint-Saens Sonata for Clarinet and Violin - robertd 20:26:59 11/05/09 (1)
Probably my favorite clarinet piece . Have it on a cd "the french clarinet" emma johnson.
- RE: Saint-Saens Sonata for Clarinet and Piano - correction - robertd 20:28:37 11/05/09 (0)
  nt
Ravel- "Daphnis et Chloe"............... - Todd Krieger 11:36:08 11/05/09 (0)
Although solo duties shared with other wind instruments................
3 non-classical albums .... - Bhasi 09:25:11 11/05/09 (0)
which I return to regularly are:

Don Byron's Tuskegee Experiments
Mickey Katz's It's Simcha Time
Ivo Papasov's Balkanology

Bartok's Contrasts is another long-time favourite, though it's a trio with violin and piano.
Acker Bilk - "Stranger On The Shore" - andy_c 20:43:15 11/03/09 (0)
Joke :-)
Another great piece is the Copland clarinet concerto. Also the Finzi concerto. - Mali 13:28:04 11/03/09 (2)
Both are excellent. The Copland has an esp. beautiful slow movement.
- The Copland concerto - Mali 18:00:58 11/04/09 (1)
  I tried posting this three times. i have no idea where in hell the other two went.
  - Copland - andante from the clarinet concerto (Open in New Window)
  - The Finzi concerto - Mali 18:06:53 11/04/09 (0)
    *
    - Finzi - Clarinet concerto, first movement (Open in New Window)
A fewI did not see mentioned - John Greenwood 13:42:08 11/02/09 (6)
You can't argue with Mozart, Brahms, Goodman and Russell, but I'll add a few:
Schubert - the Shepherd on the Rock and the Octet (btw - Beethoven's Septet, which inspired the Octet, is a lot of fun, but Schubert's writing for the clarinet is superior)
Bruch wrote eight lovely pieces for clarinet, viola and piano - they have a Chopinesque romanticism
Buddy DeFranco and Art Tatum from the Group Materpieces series - my favorite jazz clarinet album
And I'll second the Messaien which was mentioned but not sufficiently highlighted.

Edits: 11/02/09
- Sorry!! - rbolaw 16:07:28 11/02/09 (5)
  If I didn't sufficiently highlight Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time, one of the greatest chamber music pieces of the 20th century. I heard it performed in recital by Metropolitan Opera principal Anthony McGill shortly before he played at Obama's inauguration. He is one amazing clarinet player.
  You mention some other great works featuring the clarinet, but not necessarily in a solo role. If we're going in that direction, I'll add Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, with those delicious clarinet solos representing the cat. Also, though not quite on the level of some of the music under discussion, Carl Maria von Weber's quintet and concertino are not to be missed.
  - Is it possible to get Peter and the Wolf without the voice? - Frihed89 12:22:47 11/03/09 (3)
    I am from the generation of kids that will probably die with voice of Sterling Holloway playing in the basement of their brains. David Bowie doesn't add much..
    "Live free or die"
    - Without the voice??? - rbolaw 17:40:36 11/03/09 (2)
      Without that brilliant story written by Prokofiev himself, after he (wisely) rejected the story that was originally to be used? What you need is a better voice. I like Sir John Gielgud. Or you could try Sean Connery or Patrick Stewart. Two to avoid -- Basil Rathbone and Dame Edna Everage.
      - I prefer - kavakidd 22:18:51 11/04/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Without the voice??? posted by rbolaw on November 03, 2009 at 17:40:36
        
        Cyril Richard as well as Peter Ustinov but - hey - that's just me
        
        "Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain
      - RE: Without the voice??? - learsfool 21:14:13 11/04/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Without the voice??? posted by rbolaw on November 03, 2009 at 17:40:36
        
        Yes, those two are great - there is also one with Kent Nagano conducting, with Sting and Ian McKellan, and Vanessa Redgrave doing the voices.
  - Apology Accepted - John Greenwood 10:49:43 11/03/09 (0)
    Seriously, I agree with you. I was at that concert as well. I was late and missed the first half (Elliot Carter). I had to sit outside for 45 minutes and then fight my way in to hear the Messaien in the second half, but it was worth it.
    I'm going to hear McGill do the Mozart concerto with the Westchester Philharmonic (Itzak Perlman, conductor) later this month.
    I agree that several of the works I mentioned do not feature the clarinet as the central solo instrument, but Schubert's writing for the clarinet in the Octet is particularly beautiful.
    
    Edits: 11/03/09
Debussy - jimbill 07:20:44 11/02/09 (1)
Premiere Rhapsodie
- That's a new one...thanks. Thanks to Everyone. This is a really good education. Nt - Frihed89 11:05:11 11/02/09 (0)
  Nt
  "Live free or die"
Brahms Sonatas: Harold Wright & Harris Goldsmith - Daverz 22:13:41 11/01/09 (5)
On a Crossroads Lp. here was a CD release of this recording on MHS that has so far eluded me. Wright's recording of the Nielsen Concerto with Bernstein would also be up there.
- Can you believe: I can't find a Nielsen CD in Copenhagen! - Frihed89 01:18:45 11/02/09 (4)
  Maybe there is one from Copenhagen, here, who can point me in the right direction (not Fona).
  "Live free or die"
  - Oops, Stanley Drucker played the clarinet on the Nielsen. - Daverz 05:57:14 11/02/09 (3)
    The Benny Goodman recording, on the other hand, is considered somewhat of a party record.
    - I ordered a version by Sabine Meyer. Heresy? Nt - Frihed89 00:08:33 11/04/09 (1)
      Nt
      "Live free or die"
      - RE: I ordered a version by Sabine Meyer. Heresy? Nt - learsfool 21:12:07 11/04/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I ordered a version by Sabine Meyer. Heresy? Nt posted by Frihed89 on November 04, 2009 at 00:08:33
        
        No, it will be great!
    - RE: Oops, Stanley Drucker played the clarinet on the Nielsen. - rbolaw 10:42:49 11/03/09 (0)
      There was a Sony CD with the Nielsen clarinet concerto played by Stanley Drucker and the Nielsen flute concerto played by Julius Baker, both with the NY Philharmonic under Bernstein. Ir may now be OOP.
RE: What is your single-most best clarinet solo piece - any type music? - suretyguy 14:17:34 11/01/09 (0)
Pee Wee Russell and Jimmy Giuffre on "Blues" from The Sound of Jazz, sometimes referred to as the soundtrack of the 1957 television broadcast, but in fact recorded several days earlier. The contrast between the two clarinetists, both somewhat eccentric stylistically, is stark, yet this is great, great improvisation that defines what jazz is all about.
Johnny Dodds - Melancholy - Bob Smith 12:56:29 11/01/09 (0)
April 22nd, 1927 Johnny Dodds played a beautiful clarinet solo after the ensemble introduction in his own Black Bottom Stompers' rendition of "Melancholy". I have it on an English 10" LP - Brunswick LA8597 that I think was the first jazz LP issued in England.

Cheers

Bob
Here's mine - Mike K 09:31:50 11/01/09 (2)
20 or so years ago, Kenny Davern recorded 2 albums with just Howard
Alden on guitar, bass and drums. In one of those albums, he plays a
long, slow version of "Pee Wee's Blues', in which he takes a veerrryyy
nice extended (and I believe) unaccompanied solo. If I ever die, I
want this tune to be played at my memorial service, just before the
undertaker slides me into the crematorium.

Mike
- on One Hour Tonight? nt - Frihed89 10:53:51 11/01/09 (1)
  Nt
  "Live free or die"
  - Yes. * - Mike K 16:48:22 11/01/09 (0)
RE: What is your single-most best clarinet solo piece - any type music? - jult52 05:02:33 11/01/09 (3)
The Brahms Quintet. No contest.
- Thank you , which group? Of these 2: - Frihed89 08:35:50 11/01/09 (2)
  1. Gervais de Peyer with the Melos Ensamble OR
  2. Dvaid Shifrin with Emerson String Quartet
  Both albums have Mozart's and Brahm's clarinet quintets, a nice combination.
  "Live free or die"
  
  Edits: 11/01/09
  - RE: Thank you , which group? Of these 2: - learsfool 21:10:59 11/04/09 (0)
    Shifrin, between those two, for sure.
  - RE: Thank you , which group? Of these 2: - jult52 07:25:48 11/02/09 (0)
    Haven't heard either group but the Emerson CD was well-reviewed and I have never heard a recording of theirs that wasn't at least good. So that's a very safe purchase.
Benny Goodman- "Don't Be That Way" - Todd Krieger 23:30:02 10/31/09 (0)
There's actually a Goodman song I'd rate over this one, but I only know it by the melody. I couldn't find it on YouTube.
Artie Shaw's version of "Begin the Beguine" - danj 23:22:41 10/31/09 (0)
Many have done that tune but no one can touch Artie's version.
RE: What is your single-most best clarinet solo piece - any type music? - rbolaw 20:20:00 10/31/09 (0)
The Mozart concerto and quintet and the Brahms quintet are obvious choices. For the (early to mid) 20th century, I suggest Debussy's Premiere Rhapsody, Stravinsky's swinging Ebony Concerto (written for Woody Herman) and Soldier's Tale, Bartok's Contrasts, Nielsen's concerto and Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time. More recent are Bernstein's Prelude, Fugue and Riffs, which is loads of fun, and the Corigliano concerto.
most any if its a bass clarinet - hifitommy 17:22:13 10/31/09 (3)
oooooooooAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH that SOUND.

...regards...tr
- RE: most any if its a bass clarinet - jimdgoulding@yahoo.com 21:10:30 11/03/09 (0)
  Heard that! Meant respectfully. I, too, love the sound.
  
  Edits: 11/03/09
- Have you heard Stravinsky's story. . . - Chris from Lafayette 20:48:30 11/02/09 (0)
  . . . about Rimsky-Korsakov attending an Arensky opera, where, in one place, Stravinsky describes Arensky's use of the instrument as a "horse farce", and Rimsky replying back (in a voice loud enough so that other listeners in the theater could easily hear it) that "the noble bass clarinet should not be put to such ignominious use!"?
  
  One composer who certainly knew what he was doing in writing for the bass clarinet (IMHO) was Bernard Herrmann.
- RE: most any if its a bass clarinet - astralnavigator 17:31:16 10/31/09 (0)
  Ballads for Bass Clarinet by David Murray.
New York Counterpoint by Steve Reich? - Paul_A 16:58:57 10/31/09 (2)
Nice piece. Is it "the best"?
I wouldn't swear to it.
- RE: New York Counterpoint by Steve Reich? - madisonears 17:23:21 11/01/09 (0)
  Yes, an excellent recording of modern but tuneful music, and the clarinet sound is luscious.
  
  Peace,
  Tom E
- RE: New York Counterpoint by Steve Reich. - Charlie F. 20:20:17 10/31/09 (0)
  I will second that … in the same way it was presented: a very nice work for a clarinetist. I won't say it is "the best," but it is one of my favorites.
  
  I will say, though, that Reich is right at the top of my favorite composers list.
  
  -=- Charlie F.
Brahms clarinet quintet - no contest! Sublime! (nt) - krisjan 15:49:45 10/31/09 (0)
.
RE: What is your single-most best clarinet solo piece - any type music? - learsfool 10:55:50 10/31/09 (8)
The Mozart Concerto, for sure - one of his latest compositions, a very mature work. Try to find a German clarinetist such as Karl Leister or Sabine Meyer.
- RE: What is your single-most best clarinet solo piece - any type music? - suretyguy 16:05:25 10/31/09 (0)
  Did you perhaps mean the quintet rather than concerto? The quintet is frequently coupled with the Brahms mentioned elsewhere on this thread.
- I think there are 4 Which one? Nt - Frihed89 11:37:05 10/31/09 (6)
  Nt
  "Live free or die"
  - RE: I think there are 4 Which one? Nt - Mali 15:39:29 10/31/09 (5)
    He wrote one clarinet concerto, one of his most sublime works.
    - This is probably why i couldn't tell the difference between a clarinet and a horn! - Frihed89 01:27:44 11/01/09 (4)
      I have a version of the clarinet concerto on the same album as some horn concertos ( and 4)!
      
      I am going to see/hear Sabine Meyer later this winter.
      
      The last concert I attended, not including the Boston Pops, was in Boston in the 1950s some time. I have no idea what I heard. My mother made me go. I heard Victor Borge, once. That I remember!
      "Live free or die"
      - RE: This is probably why i couldn't tell the difference between a clarinet and a horn! - Mali 08:07:13 11/01/09 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: This is probably why i couldn't tell the difference between a clarinet and a horn! posted by Frihed89 on November 01, 2009 at 01:27:44
        
        Yes, he did write 4 horn concertos and some fragments of others. Where are you seeing Sabine Meyer? Watch her play. She diddy bops so much when she plays, I'm afraid she's gong to hit her head on the music stand. It's ridiculous.
        
        Paris in December - Frihed89 08:38:00 11/01/09 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: This is probably why i couldn't tell the difference between a clarinet and a horn! posted by Mali on November 01, 2009 at 08:07:13
        
        With 80-100 foot ceilings, there is not much risk!
        "Live free or die"
        
        RE: Paris in December - Mali 08:50:57 11/01/09 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Paris in December posted by Frihed89 on November 01, 2009 at 08:38:00
        
        A short trip for you. I thought she might be in the states somewhere.
        
        I did not see any US venues when I looked Nt - Frihed89 01:20:31 11/02/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Paris in December posted by Mali on November 01, 2009 at 08:50:57
        
        Nt
        "Live free or die"

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.