SUNY Fredonia Ensemble Audition Music (Clarinet)

Fall 2017

Selections from:

Françaix – Concerto, mvt. 1 (Allegro) Bizet – “Intermezzo” from Carmen Suite No. 1 Brahms –Variations on a Theme of Haydn, op. 56a (Var. VIII) Gounod – Ballet Music from Faust (Act V “Ancient Dance”)

Hindemith – Symphony in Bb, mvt. 2 (Andantino grazioso)

Makris – Intrigues

Bass Clarinet (optional)

Piazzolla – Tango Etude No. 3 Donizetti – Prelude to Act II of Maria de Rudenz 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 only for those who are interested in demonstrating their abilities on bass clarinet 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.

Francaix – Concerto pour clarinette et orchestra (Mvt. 1 – Allegro) Francaix suggested quarter = 132, but that’s always seemed MUCH too fast to me. I re-set the part and

have indicated a target of quarter = 112. Regardless, don’t play it faster than you’re able! Slower with clean technique will sit better with the people evaluating you.

Yes, it is really in B major. Recording via Naxos, search: RTECD124 (Track 1). Additionally, there’s a nice recording on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBnPeZzOYWA. (And if you’d like to hear it on bass clarinet, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpBPgZ56RCQ)

Bizet – “Intermezzo” from Carmen Suite No. 1 Target tempo in the vicinity of quarter = 76 There’s very little phrasing indicated, but you would of course be foolish to play less than captivatingly

gorgeous lines… Reference recordings on Naxos are plentiful, but here’s one: 0724358608953. The clarinet lines starts at

:41 on track 14

Brahms – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a Target tempo is in the vicinity of dotted half note = 60 (or quarter note = 180) Pause for multiple measures of rest, but counting in time is not necessary. Play softly, but take the pp sempre with a grain of salt. Do contrast the indicated dynamic levels... Disregard the repeat sign at the end. Reference recording on Naxos: 825646189267 (Disc 3, track 13)

Gounod – Ballet Music from Faust (Act V “Ancient Dance”) Target tempo is as marked, quarter note = 112 Articulation and rhythm (steady time) are key here. Reference recording on Naxos: CA15616 (Track 12, the “tune” starts at about :17)

Hindemith – Symphony in Bb, mvt. 2 (Andantino grazioso) The indicated tempo should be in the vicinity of what’s marked: dotted quarter note = 104 Stop at the end of measure 66 – do not continue to the last four 16th notes. Reference recording on Naxos: Search C197891B (Track 2, the excerpt starts at 2:17)

Makris – Intrigues

The indicated tempo should be in the vicinity of quarter note = 104 The eighth note stays constant throughout all of the meter changes For those of you who might not like “flying” in the stratosphere, the last line is transposed down an octave.

If you choose to play lower, will we consider your choice? Absolutely. Will you sound better as a result of your choice? Only you know the answer to that.

Reference recording: Sadly, this one seems not to be recorded! Ask me nicely and I might send a recording of me playing with with Dr. Holcomb and the Wind Ensemble from 2010…

* Bass Clarinet Excerpts * (Not required for Bb clarinet auditions)

Piazzolla – Tango Etude No. 3 Target tempo is somewhere between 120-144 There’s a sense of rhythmic drive to this – enjoy that. Take the dynamics, accents and articulation with a grain of salt – they’re intended to give a sense of feel

and style, but play with beauty and excitement. Reference recording on Naxos: 8.554760 (Track 8)

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Tango Etude No. 3 Astor Piazzollaarr. G. A. Seigel

Bass Clarinet in Bb

Donizetti – Prelude to Act II of Maria de Rudenz Target tempo is in the vicinity of quarter note = 60. There should be plenty of flexibility in the “cadential” figures. The emphasis should be on tonal and

interpretive beauty, not virtuosic fireworks. Note the dotted slurs – suggestions from an editor. I’d infer that there are lots of articulations that can be

left to your discretion. Do you really want to articulate those 32nd notes? No, I didn’t think so. Reference recording on Naxos: ORC16 (Disc two, track 1)