My brother is buying me 2 music books for Christmas. One is a saxophone one I need, and I want another clarinet one. Not sure what though. Any ideas for a good piece to get?

Pretty broad question - what do you like and what have you already got?

I like mostly stuff from the classical period e.g. Mozart.

What have I got? Loads of things lol, I have the Mozart concerto, Weber 1, Brahms F minor, Tartini concertion, Alan Ridout concertino, Poulenc , Finzi Bagatelles etc loads more compilation books.

Have you done the Stamitz Concerto no.3 in Bb? If not, I'd recommend that - not too technically demanding, and it has some good tunes! I really enjoy playing it.

I haven't played that, I'll have a look, thanks.

I found Stamitz OK I suppose - what about Horowitz or Debussy if you want to stretch yourself a bit, or more Weber?

Debussy and Horowitz are hard aren't they? I don't want something too difficult, I'm not that good.

Weber Concertino? I played it in college and it's lovely!

I didnt find the Horowitz too bad - and much more exciting than Poulenc! It also seems to suit sax players better (jazz influences I guess)

Been looking at syllabus. I was thinking of Schumann Fantaisiestucke. The first one is only grade 5 so I could play that.

Anyone else played it?

Unfortunately, yes. You need a high boredom threshold very good accompanist.

You don't like the Schumann then?

Have about the Gade Fantasiestucke ? They're similar to Schumann but more tuneful and a bit easier. The Canzonetta by Pierne is good. Also the Jim Parker Clarinet Concerto is great. Pocket Size Sonata No 1 by Templeton is another idea. I could go on for ages!

Horovitz is FAB!!! Malcolm Arnold anyone? I always find that one good, and a great way to vent some stress!! I've done the Gade ones and they are nice, so is the Pierne like Apassionata said!

Nat the Schumann Fantasiestucke is lovely, played it for my grade 5!

If you have the Brahms F Minor, why not get the E flat too?

why don't you get messager's solo de concours?

or malcolm arnold's sonatina?

aaron copland's clarinet concerto?

I LOVE the Malcolm Arnold, it's such fun!

especially the last mvt.

Yes, as accompanist. I like them about as much as you like the Poulenc Sonata.

I also thought that if you like the Brahms F minor sonata you would enjoy the E flat one.

I'll forget the Schumann then!

You could try the Lutoslawski Dance Preludes, although the 2nd one (Andantino) is horrendously depressing...

Looking at the back of the Lutoslawski book though, there's a list of some clarinet repetoire with piano accompaniment. Perhaps some other members have played/seen these and can give an opinion?

Back - Elegy
Baker - Cantilena
Boyle - Sonatina
Debussy - Premiere Rhapsody
Debussy - Two Pieces
Falla - Two Pieces from El Amor Brujo
Gade - Fantasy Pieces Op. 43
Horowitz - Concertino for Clarinet and Strings
Kalliwoda - Moceau de Salon Op. 299
Maconchy - Fantasia for Clarinet and Piano
Mozart - Divertimenti 1, 2 and 3 (K.439b)
Oberthur - Le Desir
Poulenc - Sonata
Saint-Saens - Sonata
Szalowski - Sonatina
Stanford - Three Intermezzi
Waterson - Morceau de Concert
Wood - Paraphrase

Ah, typing out repetoire, what better way to avoid Geography revision!

I've got the Lutoslawski..I quite like the 2nd movement actually.

It does start to feel like it's going to go somewhere at the tempo change (Un poco piu vivo), but alas no...just back to the original 'melody'...

I cant STAND the Lutoslawski - give me Horowitz (or is it Horovitz) any day !
As for the Schumann - they are OK I suppose. My 11 year old daughter, jsut came 2nd in our local music festival playing the 1st one in the grade 5 - 6 class (sickening - as she doesnt even play the clarinet - adn only did it for a dare!) .
I find (or did when I played it) Stanford quite stodgy, Saint Saens is OK. Brahms good, Debussy hard and Poulenc boring.
Soy but I cant remember the rest - as havent done any decent playing for years.

I'm playing it in a recital tomorrow - true, horrendous as a standalone piece but I'm playing it with the 5th movement and the contrast is great. Worth it cos at the end of the second the audience are just thinking "Whaaaaaat?" and the 5th is all really lively!

Yeah 5 is mad! Good luck, hope it goes well.