ABRSM Grade 8 Clarinet Pieces, Which one to pick?! Options

[CJB]

The Poulenc sonata is one of those pieces that every clarinettist ought to at least have a go at, even if (like me) you end up not really liking it...

I have had a listen to the Poulanc, and I agree. I find it quite hard to listen to, so not sure how it will be to play! It's certainly very dramatic (and high (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) )

It isn't as bad as it looks at 1st sight. It isn't the easiest option on the list but as Barry says it is one of the works everyone should look at. I'm sure if you ask nicely you know someone who'll at least let you have a quick look at some of the music!

[Halka]

The Poulenc sonata is one of those pieces that every clarinettist ought to at least have a go at, even if (like me) you end up not really liking it...

I have had a listen to the Poulanc, and I agree. I find it quite hard to listen to, so not sure how it will be to play! It's certainly very dramatic (and high (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) )

It isn't as bad as it looks at 1st sight. It isn't the easiest option on the list but as Barry says it is one of the works everyone should look at. I'm sure if you ask nicely you know someone who'll at least let you have a quick look at some of the music!

Does it remind anyone else of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary"? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (I prefer the second movement - but like it all).

[Deborah]

Sorry, rambling... un embarras des riches (sp?) here, I think everyone just has to choose the pieces that spark for them. So in answer to the original poster, listen to as many as you can, play as many as you can afford and then choose!

Oh yes, a definite embarrasment of riches on the current Grade VIII syllabus. Way back last century when I did mine I did the third movement of the Mozart (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif), the Milhaud Duo Concertant and a Klose study (No 48 in 50 Classical Studies, anyone?). If I was doing the exam again, I'd probably stick with the Mozart and do the Finzi and Muller. Or maybe the Saint-Saens. Or Schumann. With the Bowen. Or Lloyd Webber. Then Bach. Or Berkeley. <sigh>

I'm not a massive fan of the Muller, though it's not a difficult piece considering its grade 8-ness, but the other two pieces are great, the Brahms especially (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Have fun! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) By far the hardest thing about the Muller is the key - clarinettists aren't meant to play in five sharps (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) and then deal with double sharps (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) That said, once you've got over that basic hurdle, it's a comparatively easy piece, and perfect for being a "woe is me" drama queen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[controller76]

Hi Peter

Good choice here - although I have just started looking at the Crusell and have fallen in love with it? Are you going to Egham - it would be good to catch up again, and maybe play some duets!!

Good luck with your Grade 8 preparation!

Thanks and you too B-C, (still looking every day for your diploma results and excited for you).
It was a hard choice as the Grade 8 syllabus is full of outstanding pieces.
I love the Crusell but didn't feel I could do it justice.
I (of course) love Saint-saens but that 4th movement is so fast.
I also love all things Finzi, BUT that Fughetta is crazy hard.

Shamefully I'm not at Egham but I'm thinking of going to The ACE Foundation event Near Cambridge on the 26th Feb. with James Rae. I went last year and found it highly enjoyable.
It is a Clarinet and Saxophone day with a French theme.

Regards, Peter.

[Dulcet]

The Poulenc sonata is one of those pieces that every clarinettist ought to at least have a go at, even if (like me) you end up not really liking it...

I have had a listen to the Poulanc, and I agree. I find it quite hard to listen to, so not sure how it will be to play! It's certainly very dramatic (and high (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) )

It isn't as bad as it looks at 1st sight. It isn't the easiest option on the list but as Barry says it is one of the works everyone should look at. I'm sure if you ask nicely you know someone who'll at least let you have a quick look at some of the music!

Does it remind anyone else of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary"? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (I prefer the second movement - but like it all).

um - no! And I'm usually quick to spot these things!

Deborah, I couldn't agree more about the sharps - that's what A clarinets were invented for! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[jazzycat]

That Muller is lovely though - being a drama queen, I enjoyed playing it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Pixie*Porsche]

I did the third movement of the Mozart Concerto and the first movement of the Poulenc Sonata. I remember at the time also looking at Weber Concerto No.1, Finzi Bagatelles, Lutlowski Dance Preludes. I did a study out of 80 Graded Studies but can't remember which one.

Wish I had the patience to learn a full concerto for clarinet now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif), the last thing I learnt "properly" on clarinet was the Mozart Quintet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And that is getting on for 8 months ago now!

[RAM]

Well, I'm definitely buying the Mozart and the second 80 Graded Studies (or the Muhler I think, it's definitely got 5 sharps!), and I think at some point the Poulenc will come into my collection as I've been totally converted by over exposure! I just wish that it was the third movement rather that the first on the sylabus because I really like that one!

[CJB]

Well, I'm definitely buying the Mozart and the second 80 Graded Studies (or the Muhler I think, it's definitely got 5 sharps!), and I think at some point the Poulenc will come into my collection as I've been totally converted by over exposure! I just wish that it was the third movement rather that the first on the sylabus because I really like that one!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Dulcet]

Well, I'm definitely buying the Mozart and the second 80 Graded Studies (or the Muhler I think, it's definitely got 5 sharps!), and I think at some point the Poulenc will come into my collection as I've been totally converted by over exposure! I just wish that it was the third movement rather that the first on the sylabus because I really like that one!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

oh but the last bar of the 3rd movement defeats me with that high G#!

[RAM]

Just to keep this thread up to date, I think that there are the formings of a decision regarding Grade 8 in my head. At the moment that is:

A: Crussell or Devienne
B: Poulenc
C: M?ller No.76 in G# minor

I'm really enjoying all these pieces and am looking forward to polishing them up and hopefully giving some an outing in concerts in the summer and later this year. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[barry-clari]

Just to keep this thread up to date, I think that there are the formings of a decision regarding Grade 8 in my head. At the moment that is:

A: Crussell or Devienne
B: Poulenc
C: Muller No.76 in G# minor

I'm really enjoying all these pieces and am looking forward to polishing them up and hopefully giving some an outing in concerts in the summer and later this year. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

A decent looking programme. I'm not personally struck on the Poulenc or the Muller (the Poulenc is just a personal thing, the Muller I think is a bit lacking in character), but I'm sure you'll do well with it. The Muller in particular is not hard for grade 8, the only real difficulty is the key. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)