Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 4
Scherzo (Midsummer Night's Dream)
(page marked #4)
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 3
Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 2
Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Interview with Andrew Moses
Andrew Moses and his mother, Shannon, were kind enough to answer some questions.Andrew:
What do you dream of doing when you grow up?
I’m only 12, but I dream of making music through the clarinet and through composing. I also dream of sharing that music with others. I want to follow my passions and convictions.
What do you love about music?
I love how music can describe feelings, colors, pictures, and textures. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
What drew you to the clarinet?
Both of my parents are musicians, so I grew up immersed in it. I started off by playing the piano when I was around six years old. My mom taught me piano and I enjoyed it. But I had always wanted to play some type of woodwind instrument because my dad was (and is) a classical Saxophonist. I wanted to play an instrument like the saxophone, and I decided on the Clarinet. I studied with my dad for my first year of playing. He was (and is) a great and inspiring teacher, but there is only so much a Saxophonist can teach a Clarinetist. My family and I, then, started researching clarinet teachers in our area, and we found Dr. Margaret Thornhill. That first lesson with her inspired me so much, I came straight home listening, playing, and reading about the clarinet like I never had before. Her teaching has transformed my playing, made it extremely fun to play, and has inspired me further than you could imagine.
What kind of music do you like to play?
I like to play all types of classical music. From Bach (of course Bach that is transcribed for the clarinet) to Carter, and from Mozart to Boulez. But, I particularly enjoy playing contemporary (or modern) classical music.
What inspires you as a composer?
I believe that once music acoustically finds its way to a human ear, then freedom to interpret the sounds into visual images, colors, and ideas is experienced. Some music is fairly easy to hear, but it usually gives less freedom to the listener’s personal interpretation. Oddly, though, (I think) the music that seems to be the hardest for the ear to accept is the music that gives the most freedom to the listener. But when one studies and spends time listening to the, at first, “hard to listen to” music, expansion of the ear’s universe of interpretation occurs, and one can then more fluidly understand the aspect of this music, and later music generally. All of this, to me, concludes that, as a composer, I must give freedom to the listener and performer. The great composers who made music that stretched the margins inspire me.
How long have you been composing?
I’ve been composing since I was nine years old.
What do you enjoy doing outside of music?
Outside of music, I enjoy doing Tae Kwon Do, spending time with my friends, my dog, my family, my garden, being at the beach, and going to my youth group. I also love reading and researching on the clarinet (I guess that doesn’t count for this question, though). Thanks for this blog!
Andrew's mother, Shannon:
When did you first realize that Andrew had a special gift for music?
Andrew grew up listening to music in our home, as both his father and I are musicians. We realized very soon after he first picked up the clarinet that there was something unique and special there..... he just loved it!! He seemed to ‘come alive’ when playing. He connected with the instrument in a rare way, and he seemed to have a passion for music that was both surprising and beautiful. That passion began (and continues) to run ahead of us! He loves it.
What is it like being the parent of such a talented musician?
We’re humbled and so thankful to have the privilege and joy of parenting Andrew!
How much does Andrew play each day? Does he do it all voluntarily?
We have to literally tell Andrew to STOP practicing! He does it ALL voluntarily.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Free Download of 10 Tracks from iTunes
iTunes is offering 10 songs for free download from the iTunes Festival London. The track by Lang Lang is the one that caught my eye, but there seems to be some other good music here as well. Click the iTunes button to launch iTunes and begin the downloads. (link expires 8/31/11)
Track List:
1. 2Cellos (Sulic & Hauser) - "Smooth Criminal"
2. Evaline - "There There"
3. Moby - "Lie Down in Darkness"
4. Silver Apples - "Again"
5. Mogwai - "Mexican Grand Prix"
6. Neon Trees - "Your Surrender"
7. Noah and the Whale - "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N."
8. Paul Simon - "So Beautiful or So What"
9. Rumer - "Slow"
10. Lang Lang - "Consolation No. 3 in D-Flat Major, S
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Free Sheet Music for Orchestral Rep (part 1)
Below is the beginning of several posts containing links to the sheet music for various standard clarinet orchestral pieces. The pieces and links selected are free and legal, as the content's copyrights have expired due their age. All links are to sheet music stored at IMSLP.
Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 6
Symphony No. 7
Symphony No. 8
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 3
Symphony No. 4
Happy Birthday!!!
Hello everyone. I would just like to take a moment to wish Dr. Gregory Oakes a very happy birthday! Dr. Oakes is one of the best musicians and people I have ever had the opportunity to know and learn from. He is a tremendous player and is currently the principal clarinet of the Des Moines Symphony.Just about a year ago he released a solo album, "New Dialects," which contains a selection of pieces inspired by non-western and folk music. Check him out!
Here is his Facebook musician's page (if you pop over, be sure to say happy birthday!)
http://www.facebook.com/gregoryoakesclarinet
And here is his personal website:
http://www.gregoryoakes.com/
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"Night Monsoon" - Shankar Tucker and Amit Mishra
Below is a neat composition featuring the clarinet and Indian Tabla drums
.
"This song was inspired by the rainy season which just started here in Mumbai. The composition is loosely based on the Monsoon Raga, "Megh Malhar", although it varies from the raga
at times."
It's always neat to see the clarinet used in different ways. I hope you enjoy it!
."This song was inspired by the rainy season which just started here in Mumbai. The composition is loosely based on the Monsoon Raga, "Megh Malhar", although it varies from the raga
at times."It's always neat to see the clarinet used in different ways. I hope you enjoy it!
A Great Performance of "Parto, Parto"
To go along with my pervious post I thought I should include a video of it. This is a wonderful performance by the incredible Susan Graham with the equally outstanding Anthony McGill playing the clarinet solos. This performance took place at the 2006 Metropolitan Opera Gala for Joseph Volpe.
Monday, July 11, 2011
"Parto, parto" Clarinet Solo
Below is the sheet music for the solo from W. A. Mozart's opera, La Clemenza de Tito. It's a beautiful song with lots of great clarinet moments. The clarinet part is pasted from the full score, which is available for free from IMSLP. (click images for full size)
The full score can be found HERE.
This and loads more is available legally and for free from IMSLP.
The full score can be found HERE.
This and loads more is available legally and for free from IMSLP.
Philly Orchestra Announces Pledges
The Philadelphia Orchestra announced on June 22 that it has received several large pledges and gifts. Since it filed for bankruptcy in April the orchestra has received $11.2 million from donors, foundations, and the orchestra board. $16.3 million has been promised in challenge pledges if the orchestra can raise $17.5 million more by the end of the year.
Officials from the orchestra are feeling confident and hoping that this trend will continue and allow them to build up their finances.
Full Article: Cash-short Philly Orchestra Announces Big Pledges
The Importance of Cleaning Your Instrument
Dentist and professor at Oklahoma State, Thomas Glass, said, "The bacteria can produce local infections in the mouth, in the gastrointestinal tract, and in the respiratory tract." There have been cases where musicians who had issues with breathing and shortness of breath were made better after beginning regular cleaning of their instruments.
Cleaning our mouthpieces weekly with soap and warm water will help to keep us healthy as well as keeping our mouthpieces in tip-top shape.
Link to full article: That Clarinet Could be a Germ Factory
Listing of Major US Orchestra Musicians
The website, www.stokowski.org, contains information about the principal players of several major orchestras. The information covers every instrument and spans the years from each orchestra's beginning to the present. Such orchestras include the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, the Met Orchestra and more. It's really interesting, even beyond that of just the clarinet players. Some great stuff to read and learn about.
Link: Principal Musicians of Major US Orchestras
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