BERNSTEIN, Leonard
Sonata for clarinet and piano
II. Andantino – Vivace e leggiero
Karl-Heinz Steffens, guest professor
Irvin Venys, student
Ofelia Montalván, accompanying pianist
Right at the beginning of the movement, Professor Steffens likens the clarinet melody to one of the main themes of West Side Story: “Someday, somewhere…”, it has to sound very sad. In the “mezzoforte espressivo” the professor gives some dynamic indication of how to interpret it. At a certain moment, the piano should imitate the clarinet’s molto legato articulation more to better establish the main character.
Steffens continues with some agogic indication, on the character at the end of the Andantino just before the change to the Vivace. Already in the Vivace the character must have more “swing” in the style of Bernstein, not Stravinsky, although later on the articulation will be shorter and more measured. Afterwards, the professor comments on the changes and the different articulations most suitable for each moment, and points out that this music, as in jazz, consists of many different colors that must be shown (maracas, percussion…). As in the first movement, he again relates this piece to the style of Aaron Copland and also relates it to specific moments of West Side Story whose atmosphere he describes so that the student expresses that character when playing.
In the Lento part they deal with agogic and dynamic issues fundamentally. Finally, they talk about aspects related to the connection between the two instruments, both in relation to tempo and dynamics and articulation, and right at the end about the correct accentuation and articulation of the clarinet notes and other brief general recommendations for the concert.
Language: English
