Clarinet & Piano

Introduzione: Allegro molto --- Poco lento --- Presto, volante --- Andante, semplice --- Allegro, vigoroso --- Allegretto, preciso --- Lento, intimo --- Finale

Arthur Benjamin (1893-1960), Australian/British

Quality: 7

Le Tombeau de Ravel: Valse-Caprices

Difficulty: Solo-8, Accompaniment-4

1958

12:30

Boosey & Hawkes, 1958 (Arranged by Arthur Benjamin)

Highest Note: alt. F#

Description

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Studied composition with Stanford

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Benjamin was influenced by Brahms, Gershwin, and Latin music

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Written for either viola or clarinet, but "there are many differences (in the passage work especially) between the two. Thus it cannot be said that either is a transcription of the other." -Arthur Benjamin

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Part of the International Clarinet Association's Young Artist Competition in 2000

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Tombeau is French for "tomb"; traditionally, a tombeau is an instrumental piece commemorating someone's death

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"Valse-Caprices" means "Waltz-Fantasies"

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Sparse, chordal accompaniment with occasional sixteenth notes

Necessary Qualities

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Comfort with accidentals

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Light, bouncy staccato

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Good finger technique

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Air support over leaps

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Good sense of rhythm

Pedagogical Suggestions

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Always work with a metronome

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Prepared finger technique

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Swung rhythms and five magic rhythms

Recommended Recordings

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P. Jenkin/I. Munro; Jamaican Rumba; Tall Poppies

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M. Khouri/P. Pettinger; Best of British Clarinet, vol. 2; Continuum

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E. Schwaar; Le Spleen de Paris; Jecklin

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P. Shands/E. Rowley; Bagatelles and Waltzes; Round Top