Concert pieces for slightly advanced players

Having published all three volumes of the tried-and-tested school in recent years The cheerful clarinet by Rudolf Mauz have been published in a revised new edition, there is now also a concert volume in the same series. Although its cover is red like the booklets of the first volume of the school, it is aimed right from the start at pupils who have already mastered the change of register and have therefore probably left the first volume behind them. The collection offers a wide range of musical styles from classical, gospel, klezmer, jazz and rock with original compositions for clarinet by Lefèvre, Baermann and Iwan Müller to Mauz as well as arrangements of hits such as Albeniz' Tango, Tico Tico, Summertime or Yankele. The simplifications in the rhythm (e.g. missing triplets in Albeniz) and in the runs (Tico Tico) make it possible for less advanced (or diligent ...) pupils to play these catchy tunes, but are not a gain from a musical point of view. On the other hand, they offer the opportunity to make a comparison between the arrangement and the original in class and to discuss this technique.

A very similar booklet is My first concertalso published by Rudolf Mauz at Schott, which bears the subtitle "23 easy performance pieces from 4 centuries". The content delivers what the title promises: the pieces are simply set, some even exclusively in the lower register, but at the same time appealing and varied. They are suitable for concertos or level tests and cover a wide range of epochs and styles. The selection of pieces is similar to that in the concerto volume: original compositions stand alongside arrangements and many of Rudolf Mauz's own works. This edition can be used from the middle of the first year of lessons as an additional, varied booklet.

Both editions have a CD of convincing quality with all the pieces to listen to or as an accompaniment version. The piano parts can also be played by less experienced pianists (some of them are a little demanding in the concert volume) and, depending on the style, are partly provided with chord symbols. Both editions offer the usual high quality in every respect and represent an enrichment of the teaching literature for advanced clarinet beginners.

Die fröhliche Klarinette, concert volume for clarinet in Bb and piano, edited by Rudolf Mauz, ED 22546, with CD, € 19.50, Schott, Mainz 2017,

My first concerto, for clarinet in Bb and piano, edited by Rudolf Mauz, ED 21107, with CD, € 18.50, Schott, Mainz 2017