A SHORT LIST OF SUGGESTED REPERTOIRE FOR THE CLARINET

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Each teacher generally has a course of study in which you will be exposed to the great literature for the clarinet. If you are on your own, you might consider the following works. I have tried to come up with a list of ten or so pieces in each category that I consider to be "core" works in the clarinet repertoire. This list is far from comprehensive: there are thousands of pieces written for the clarinet. I hope these suggestions will encourage you to look at other works by these composers. For an extensive database of clarinet music, visit www.sneezy.org

Works for Clarinet and Piano

Berg: Four Pieces, Op. 5
Bernstein: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
Brahms: Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120 No. 1
Brahms: Sonata No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 120 No. 2
Finzi: Five Bagatelles
Hindemith: Sonata
Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
Saint-Saens: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
Schumann: Fantasy-Pieces, Op. 73
Weber: Grand Duo Concertante

Works for Clarinet and Orchestra

Copland: Clarinet Concerto
Debussy: Première Rhapsodie
Finzi: Concerto
Mozart: Concerto in A major, K. 622
Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto
Rossini: Introduction, Theme and Variations
Spohr: Concertos (4)
Stamitz: Concerto No. 3 in B-flat
Weber: Concerto No. 1 in F minor
Weber: Concerto No. 2 in E-flat
Weber: Concertino, Op. 26

Chamber Works Including Clarinet

Beethoven: Piano Quintet
Brahms: Clarinet Quintet
Brahms: Clarinet Trio (Clarinet, Cello, and Piano)
Messaien: Quartet for the End of Time
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet
Mozart: "Kegelstatt" Trio for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano
Mozart: Piano Quintet
Schubert: Octet
Schubert: Shepherd on the Rock
Stravinsky: L'Histoire du Soldat

Works for Clarinet Alone

Donald Martino: A Set for Unaccompanied Clarinet
Olivier Messaiaen:"Abyss of Birds" from Quartet for the End of Time
Wilson Osborne: Rhapsody
Igor Stravinsky: Three Pieces
Joan Tower: Wings

Your study should also include orchestral excerpts - difficult and/or exposed passages in the clarinet parts of orchestra music. Orchestral excerpts form the major part of professional auditions. Follow this link for a list of audition excerpts.

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