Work : Prelude and Scherzo
Composer : David Bennett
Difficulty Ranking : III
Publisher : Carl Fischer
Year Published : 1939
Instrumentation : 4 Bb Clarinets
Potential Pedagogical Applications : Articulation matching, intonation (octave, unison, and chordal), ensemble mechanics (frequent tempo transitions and fermati), phrase matching, solo passages, tone development and blend, cut-time
Sample Recording : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ5DYBQoJtE
Where to Purchase Sheet Music : OUT OF PRINT (Use Interlibrary Loan)
Annotation : Prelude and Scherzo places the majority of the solo melodic content in the hands of the first clarinet player. The solos are mostly organized similar to the concept of operatic recitative, in which the first clarinet player plays a cadenza-like passage while the other players sustain long notes. The work is through composed with various tempo transitions builtin. The range extends to G 4 in the first Bb clarinet, but remains primarily in the the chalumeau and clarion registers in the other three parts.
