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

Saint-Saens Sonata for Clarinet and Violin, posted on November 5, 2009 at 20:26:59
robertd Audiophile Posts: 48 Joined: April 24, 2009 Contributor Since: October 24, 2009	Probably my favorite clarinet piece . Have it on a cd "the french clarinet" emma johnson.

RE: Saint-Saens Sonata for Clarinet and Piano - correction, posted on November 5, 2009 at 20:28:37
robertd Audiophile Posts: 48 Joined: April 24, 2009 Contributor Since: October 24, 2009	nt

Ravel- "Daphnis et Chloe"..............., posted on November 5, 2009 at 11:36:08
Todd Krieger Audiophile Posts: 22046 Location: SW United States Joined: November 2, 2000	Although solo duties shared with other wind instruments................

3 non-classical albums ...., posted on November 5, 2009 at 09:25:11
Bhasi Audiophile Posts: 620 Joined: July 9, 2001	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", posted on November 3, 2009 at 20:43:15
andy_c Audiophile Posts: 963 Joined: June 2, 2007	Joke :-)

Another great piece is the Copland clarinet concerto. Also the Finzi concerto., posted on November 3, 2009 at 13:28:04
Mali Audiophile Posts: 655 Location: Wyoming Joined: June 12, 2003 Contributor Since: November 11, 2009	Both are excellent. The Copland has an esp. beautiful slow movement.

The Copland concerto, posted on November 4, 2009 at 18:00:58

Mali
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I tried posting this three times. i have no idea where in hell the other two went.

Copland - andante from the clarinet concerto

The Finzi concerto, posted on November 4, 2009 at 18:06:53

Mali
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Finzi - Clarinet concerto, first movement

A fewI did not see mentioned, posted on November 2, 2009 at 13:42:08

John Greenwood
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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.

Sorry!!, posted on November 2, 2009 at 16:07:28

rbolaw
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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?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 12:22:47
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	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.. "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

Without the voice???, posted on November 3, 2009 at 17:40:36
rbolaw Audiophile Posts: 653 Location: NYC Joined: December 28, 2004	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, posted on November 4, 2009 at 22:18:51

kavakidd
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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???, posted on November 4, 2009 at 21:14:13
learsfool Audiophile Posts: 199 Joined: August 4, 2008	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, posted on November 3, 2009 at 10:49:43

John Greenwood
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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.

Debussy, posted on November 2, 2009 at 07:20:44
jimbill Audiophile Posts: 1154 Location: Texas Joined: May 31, 2004	Premiere Rhapsodie

That's a new one...thanks. Thanks to Everyone. This is a really good education. Nt, posted on November 2, 2009 at 11:05:11
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Nt "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

Brahms Sonatas: Harold Wright & Harris Goldsmith, posted on November 1, 2009 at 22:13:41
Daverz Audiophile Posts: 846 Location: So. California Joined: September 24, 2002	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!, posted on November 2, 2009 at 01:18:45
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Maybe there is one from Copenhagen, here, who can point me in the right direction (not Fona). "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

Oops, Stanley Drucker played the clarinet on the Nielsen., posted on November 2, 2009 at 05:57:14
Daverz Audiophile Posts: 846 Location: So. California Joined: September 24, 2002	The Benny Goodman recording, on the other hand, is considered somewhat of a party record.

I ordered a version by Sabine Meyer. Heresy? Nt, posted on November 4, 2009 at 00:08:33
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Nt "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

RE: I ordered a version by Sabine Meyer. Heresy? Nt, posted on November 4, 2009 at 21:12:07
learsfool Audiophile Posts: 199 Joined: August 4, 2008	No, it will be great!

RE: Oops, Stanley Drucker played the clarinet on the Nielsen., posted on November 3, 2009 at 10:42:49
rbolaw Audiophile Posts: 653 Location: NYC Joined: December 28, 2004	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?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 14:17:34
suretyguy Audiophile Posts: 2153 Location: western Missouri Joined: October 9, 2001	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, posted on November 1, 2009 at 12:56:29
Bob Smith Audiophile Posts: 330 Joined: August 17, 2001	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, posted on November 1, 2009 at 09:31:50
Mike K Audiophile Posts: 6433 Joined: September 23, 1999 Contributor Since: May 7, 2000	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, posted on November 1, 2009 at 10:53:51
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Nt "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

*Yes. , posted on November 1, 2009 at 16:48:22**
Mike K Audiophile Posts: 6433 Joined: September 23, 1999 Contributor Since: May 7, 2000

RE: What is your single-most best clarinet solo piece - any type music?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 05:02:33
jult52 Audiophile Posts: 167 Location: Philadelphia Joined: May 27, 2009	The Brahms Quintet. No contest.

Thank you , which group? Of these 2:, posted on November 1, 2009 at 08:35:50

Frihed89
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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.
"What did the Romans ever do for us?"

RE: Thank you , which group? Of these 2:, posted on November 4, 2009 at 21:10:59
learsfool Audiophile Posts: 199 Joined: August 4, 2008	Shifrin, between those two, for sure.

RE: Thank you , which group? Of these 2:, posted on November 2, 2009 at 07:25:48
jult52 Audiophile Posts: 167 Location: Philadelphia Joined: May 27, 2009	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", posted on October 31, 2009 at 23:30:02
Todd Krieger Audiophile Posts: 22046 Location: SW United States Joined: November 2, 2000	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", posted on October 31, 2009 at 23:22:41
danj Audiophile Posts: 3008 Location: S. Oregon Joined: December 11, 2001	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?, posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:20:00

rbolaw
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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, posted on October 31, 2009 at 17:22:13
hifitommy Audiophile Posts: 9503 Location: shaky sylmar calif, orig from buffalo ny Joined: June 9, 2000	oooooooooAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH that SOUND. ...regards...tr

RE: most any if its a bass clarinet, posted on November 3, 2009 at 21:10:30
jimdgoulding@yahoo.com Manufacturer Posts: 287 Location: Le workshop Joined: May 24, 2007	Heard that! Meant respectfully. I, too, love the sound.

Have you heard Stravinsky's story. . ., posted on November 2, 2009 at 20:48:30

Chris from Lafayette
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. . . 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, posted on October 31, 2009 at 17:31:16
astralnavigator Audiophile Posts: 570 Location: North York, Ontario Joined: June 28, 2009	Ballads for Bass Clarinet by David Murray.

New York Counterpoint by Steve Reich?, posted on October 31, 2009 at 16:58:57

Paul_A
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Nice piece. Is it "the best"?
I wouldn't swear to it.

RE: New York Counterpoint by Steve Reich?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 17:23:21
madisonears Audiophile Posts: 487 Location: midwest Joined: September 6, 2006	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., posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:20:17
Charlie F. Audiophile Posts: 458 Joined: March 31, 2000	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), posted on October 31, 2009 at 15:49:45
krisjan	.

RE: What is your single-most best clarinet solo piece - any type music?, posted on October 31, 2009 at 10:55:50
learsfool Audiophile Posts: 199 Joined: August 4, 2008	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?, posted on October 31, 2009 at 16:05:25
suretyguy Audiophile Posts: 2153 Location: western Missouri Joined: October 9, 2001	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, posted on October 31, 2009 at 11:37:05
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Nt "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

RE: I think there are 4 Which one? Nt, posted on October 31, 2009 at 15:39:29
Mali Audiophile Posts: 655 Location: Wyoming Joined: June 12, 2003 Contributor Since: November 11, 2009	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!, posted on November 1, 2009 at 01:27:44
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	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! "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

RE: This is probably why i couldn't tell the difference between a clarinet and a horn!, posted on November 1, 2009 at 08:07:13
Mali Audiophile Posts: 655 Location: Wyoming Joined: June 12, 2003 Contributor Since: November 11, 2009	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, posted on November 1, 2009 at 08:38:00
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	With 80-100 foot ceilings, there is not much risk! "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

RE: Paris in December, posted on November 1, 2009 at 08:50:57
Mali Audiophile Posts: 655 Location: Wyoming Joined: June 12, 2003 Contributor Since: November 11, 2009	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, posted on November 2, 2009 at 01:20:31
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 8435 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Nt "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

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

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