Ensemble Audition Music (Clarinet)

Fall 2016

Selections from:

Nielsen – Concerto, op. 57 (opening statement only)

Mendelssohn – Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Farkas – Regi Magyar Táncok, mvt. 4 (Saltarello - Ugros) Mozart – Quintet in A, K. 581, mvt. 2 (Larghetto) Brahms – Symphony No. 4, mvt. 2 (Andante moderato) Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade, mvt. 3 (Andantino quasi allegretto)

(The young prince and the young princess)

Bass Clarinet (optional)

Bach – Cello Suite No. 1 - Allemande Mahler – Symphony No. 6, mvt. 1 Suggestions: Target tempi are provided for each excerpt, but they are only targets. Do not attempt to play these excerpts at a speed that your fingers/tongue/brain are not prepared to play at!

Some of these excerpts are not explicit about phrasing and dynamics. The lack of expression markings does not mean that you should play without expression.

Remember the three most important things about ensemble auditions:

1) Rhythm 2) Rhythm 3) Rhythm

But don’t forget to consider additional aspects of your playing: things like tone, technique, articulation, phrasing, etc.

The bass clarinet excerpts are provided for those who are interested in demonstrating their abilities for consideration in ensemble placement. Playing the excerpts does not guarantee a bass clarinet placement. Likewise, not playing the excerpts does not mean that you won’t play bass clarinet.

Nielsen – Concerto, op. 57 Target tempo is as marked, though it might be smarter to consider the eighth note at 144 bpm There’s not a lot of soft playing in this initial statement. Use this as an opportunity to fill up the room. That said,

do not fail to shape the phrases and gestures. The measures that look like they are all triplets are all triplets, even if they’re not marked explicitly. There are many recordings on Naxos. One of the newest, with Anthony McGill and the NYPhil: Dacapo

6.220556. There are other recordings with Sabine Meyer, Martin Fröst, Julian Bliss… Enjoy. The excerpt starts about 25 seconds into the first track of the concerto

(Be aware that this is written for clarinet in A. If you play along, things’ll be crunchy)

Mendelssohn – Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Target tempo (at least the one I like) is essentially as indicated: dotted quarter note = 84-88 works well. I

wouldn’t take it much faster than that. Consider the quality (lightness) of articulation and length of notes. Pay attention to dynamics and accents – play

within the context of the work. Do count (and play!) the rests. There are many recording via Naxos

Farkas – Regi Magyar Tancok, mvt. 4 (Saltarello - Ugros) Target tempo is quarter note = 132-144, which is quite brisk. Don’t try to play it faster than you are able. DO take the repeat, stop at the last quarter note. Recording via Naxos, search: NI5479 (:42 on track 23) or TOCC0019 (:47 on track 24)

Mozart – Quintet in A, K. 581, mvt. 2 (Larghetto) Target tempo is a matter of taste, but is generally quite slow. I like something in the vicinity of quarter = 44-46 (or

better, eighth = 88-92). Keep in mind that while pianissimo is well-translated as “very soft,” your audience wants to be able to hear you

clearly without a sacrifice of tonal beauty, musical phrasing, etc. (Don’t play too softly!) There are of course many fine recordings, but here’s a lovely one with Harold Wright, the former principal of the

Boston Symphony Orchestra: on Naxos search Sony 074644625226. This excerpt is actually from the recapitulation of the movement, at about 3:40 in the track, but it identical to what you’ll hear at the very beginning of the movement (excepting the optional ornamental turn in m. 4)

As in many other excerpts, be aware that this is written for Clarinet in A, but you’ll play as written on Bb clarinet.

Brahms – Symphony No. 4, mvt. 2 (Andante moderato) Target tempo is eighth note = 76. Consider rhythm, phrasing and pitch as you cross back and forth over the break. Recording via Naxos, search: LSO0057, but there are many others. The excerpt is from the beginning of the movement. (Beware that this is the A clarinet part, so if you play along,

things will be “crunchy…”)

Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade, mvt. 3 Target tempo is dotted quarter note = 70-72(ish) Consider rhythm, style and dynamics. ppp does not equal too soft to be heard. It means to sound distant when

on stage. I can say with certainty that we won’t have any interest in hearing you play beyond rehearsal I. Recording via Naxos, search: 0724357329156, track 3 (3:24 and 4:37).

Bass Clarinet Excerpts

Bach – Suite No. 1, BWV 1007 - Allemande

Target tempo is as marked, in the vicinity of quarter note = 76, but there’s flexibility within the excerpt. Recording via Naxos, search: 0724356621558. The excerpt is from the beginning of track 2. There are MANY

other recordings. For the purpose of this audition, do not over express. Good rhythm and flow are nice. J Prepare up to the double bar.  

 

Mahler – Symphony No. 6, mvt. 1 (Allegro energico, ma non troppo. Heftig, aber markig) Target tempo is around quarter note = 72 Recording via Naxos, search: CSOR901804 (Track 1, 15:19) Yes, those are cow bells behind the bass clarinet. J Yes, there are six flats in the key signature. (Beware that this is for Bass Clarinet in A, so if you play along, things will be “crunchy…”)