Ensemble Audition Music (Clarinet)

Fall 2021

Selections from:

Nielsen – Concerto, op. 57 (two excerpts)

Brahms – Symphony No. 4, mvt. 2 (Andante moderato)

Farkas – Regi Magyar Táncok, mvt. 4 (Saltarello - Ugros) Jeanjean – 18 Etudes, No. 5 (excerpts)

Wagner – Lohengrin, Act II: "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral"

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. The opening excerpt starts about 25 seconds into the first track of the

concerto, whereas the 2nd except is about 7'30" into the concerto. (Be aware that this is written for clarinet in A. If you play along, things’ll be crunchy).

Despite the marked tempo, play this next passage at a tempo that demonstrates what you CAN do with articulation,

not what you might (or can not) do. I imagine something between eighth = 100-132. The part doesn't include a starting dynamic, but I imagine starting at a comfortable mezzo forte will allow a variety

of intensities and phrasing gestures throughout the excerpt. Do opt to take the last three notes down the octave if it makes your audition better or more comfortable.

Brahms – Symphony No. 4, mvt. 2 (Andante moderato) Target tempo is eighth note = 72-76. 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…”)

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. Recording via Naxos, search: NI5479 (:42 on track 23) or TOCC0019 (:47 on track 24) There's no printed dynamic in the part for this excerpt, but I suggest a very present mezzo forte or even forte will

allow you to sound strong and excellent.

Jeanjean – 18 Etudes, No. 5 (excerpts)

While the suggestion is to feel this in one beat to the bar (at 60 bars per minute, then), you can feel this in a regular 2+3 subdivision. The original maintains a beam through the entire bar, but I've split things up to highlight changes in articulation, etc.

The breath mark before the 7/4 does NOT need to be in time. You may take a short rest, catch your breath, reset your brain…

Wagner – Lohengrin, Act II: "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" Target tempo is in the range of quarter note = 56-60 The band transcription of this excerpt is in Fb major and hangs out in the altissimo register for extended periods.

I've opted to transpose it down into a kinder, gentler place, so instead of altissimo response and intonation, it's a throat tone intonation, legato connection and break-crossing exercise. Thank me later?

The printed dynamics and expression marks are from the Cailliet transcription for band, but do not speak entirely to what *should* happen expressively. Make this melody show your audience what you can do expressively.

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 Stop at the repeat sign / 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…”)