Sonata for Clarinet & Piano
edited by Walters & Levy
Composer: Leonard Bernstein
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
$23.00
| Movement/Section | Duration: 10.5 |
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This edition consists of a piano score and solo clarinet part, edited by Richard Walters using Bernstein's pencil manuscripts of the clarinet and piano score, and also the separate clarinet part.
This edition is also available with audio accompaniment.
Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) was an American composer, conductor, pianist, and author. The Sonata for Clarinet & Piano was composed between September 1941 to February 1942, and is dedicated to his personal friend, David Oppenheim. The world premiere was performed by David Glazer with Bernstein on piano at the Institute of Modern Art, Boston, MA, USA on April 21, 1942. Oppenheim gave the New York premiere with Bernstein a year later at the New York Public Library, in NY, USA. The Sonata was Bernstein's first published composition, and his only sonata for a wind instrument.
The two movements provide starkly contrasting moods. The first has mostly sustained, lyrical lines, with markings of grazioso and legatissimo; the tempi follow a general "arch" form, gaining energy into the middle and then gradually receding towards the end. The second movement is packed with syncopation and jazzy flourishes, predominantly in 5/8 time. The rhythms and meter changes in this second movement, especially in the last 20 or so measures, will surely present the most challenge in coordination with pianist. Overall, Bernstein's Sonata mixes the classical and jazz clarinet qualities and eschews the formal sonata structure to produce a gem of American clarinet literature.
Quick facts
Range: highest pitch = written G6
Key signature: no ♯/♭
Time signature: 2/2, 3/2, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 8/8, 4/4, 3/4, 5/4, 7/8, 9/8Gary Gray's suggestions for interpretation can be found in The Clarinet magazine, Volume 46 No. 1.
The second movement has been arranged for clarinet duet by Paula Corely as a study aid; it can be found on The Clarinet magazine's website.An excellent preface provides biographical information about the composer, as well as more a specific context surrounding the time of the composition. Also included is Todd Levy's writing on performance interpretations.
The score is in concert pitch.
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Performer / Ensemble Link Comments -
Pages: 7
Pages (score): 20
Publisher Code: M051107476
UPC: 884088692919
ISBN: 9781476819877
ISMN: 9790051107476
Length: 30.2 cm
Width: 22.8 cm
Thickness: 0.296 cm
Weight: 158 g
