The Importance and Analysis of Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo by Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky in Terms of The Repertoire of Clarinet

Abstract

In this study, the importance of Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo by Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky who was one of the important composers of contemporary period music was mentioned; the effects of, especially, the changes in the number of measures, breath marks, grace notes, nuance and accent articulations on performance were analyzed. In the light of this information it is aimed to create a source for clarinet performers.

Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo composed by Stravinsky in twentieth century has an important place in terms of the transferring of musical characteristics of the time. The work consists of three pieces. The first two pieces were composed for A clarinet which is among the soprano group of clarinet family, the last piece was composed for B flat clarinet as a member of the same group. The composer employed chalumeau register, which has the most vibrant tone color of clarinet, in the first piece of the work and he used all registers of clarinet in the second and third pieces of the work. The first piece of the work is as tranquil as possible and it is a piece which is quite easy to be played with piano nuance until the last two measures. The second and the third pieces vary from pianissimo nuance to fortissimo nuance and necessitate professional performance in terms of finger techniques, metronome speed and the performance of nuance.

In this study, first, composer identity of Igor Stravinsky and then the contribution of Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo in the repertoire of clarinet were discussed. Second, technical and musical difficulties in this work were analyzed and suggestions were presented to eliminate the difficulties for performance practice. In accordance with the obtained data, it is thought that this study is going to present a new perspective in the performance of the work for today’s clarinet performers.

Key Words: Stravinsky, Twentieth century, Clarinet, Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo, Nuance