Clarinet Chamber Music
Prelude --- Habanera --- Chorus Of the Street Boys --- Recitative --- Seguidilla --- Entr'acte --- Toreador Song --- Gypsy Song
| Georges Bizet (1838-1875), French | Quality: 8.5 |
| Carmen Rhapsody | Difficulty: 9 |
| 1873-1874 | 19:00 |
| International, 1997 (Arranged by Michael Webster in 1990) | Flute, Clarinet, & Piano |
Description
 | Not a good first piece for an ensemble |
| Written/arranged for the Webster Trio |
| The clarinet part is for A and Bb; 3/4 is for the A clarinet, and 1/4 is for clarinet in Bb. This presents an intonation problem in that you're picking up a cold instrument in the middle of the piece, after the flute is completely warmed up; similarly, when you switch back to your A clarinet, it has had time to cool down |
| The Gypsy Song can be played on its own; it is about 5:00 long. |
| Operatic style: instrumentalists must be singers (divas), includes arias, recitatives, and chorus scenes |
Necessary Qualities
| Intonation |
| Endurance |
| Ensemble communication |
Pedagogical Suggestions
| Watch the opera, if at all possible; if not, listen to the whole thing and learn the plot |
| Work on the flute/clarinet cadenzas with the pianist listening for ensemble togetherness, which is extremely difficult in the cadenzas |
| Make sure the articulation is the same throughout the ensemble |
| Individual practice will be needed to learn notes and rhythms at tempo |
Recommended Recordings
| Webster Trio Japan (L. Buyse, flute; M. Webster, clarinet; C. Sawa, piano); Sonata Cho-Cho San; Nami Records |