I'm attempting to play Premiere Rhapsodie for next years solo contest in Texas.

Would any of you have any suggestions on how to play it well?

and one question...how are the 16th notes [pg.1 before triplets] played?

thanks

I don't know anything about 16th notes but I recommend practicing the piece a few times before the performance.

For years I have tried to make good performances but was failing. Then one day my friend told me that I need to look at the music before the performance and this has made a world of difference.

Just my $.02

After studying the score I see the 16th notes you are talking about.

I believe that they are played twice as fast as the eighth notes.

i am afraid that your "$.02" is entirely wrong as i am looking for a speed tempo wise

The sixteenths in the section are meant to be played very rubato, starting slow and getting faster. I would suggest you get a recording of the piece from a reputable performer. I do know that Brian Crumpler, an English clarinetist, has a very good recording on youtube. Trust me when I say, they are meant to be VERY rubato, almost like a cadenza, spanning a good range of tempi. Hope this helps you.

MY $.02 IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED RIPVANJACKWAD! YOU NEED TO LISTEN UP AND GET WITH THE PROGRAM.

16th notes are played twice as fast as 8th notes. I LOOKED IT UP!

PLUS, JVAN, THERE IS NO RUBATO IN THIS STYLE OF MUSIC. WHY DON'T YOU TRAIN INTENSIVELY LIKE I HAVE AND THEN MAKE YOUR INANE COMMENTS THAT REALLY ONLY HURT AND MUCH LESS HELP.

IF YOU DON'T WANT EXPERT ADVICE GO TO THE CLARINET BBOARD INSTEAD WHERE THEY AREN'T AS DEDICATED TO THE NEEDS OF THE INFERIOR AS I.

PHIL.

It's French impressionistic. What the hell do you mean 'no rubato'? Are you a world renowned clarinetist as Brian Crumpler is? No. So please, study some musical eras. Thanks.

Brian Crumpler? Who the crap is that loser?

Have you heard of Gervase de Peyer? Now that is the stuff of legend.

Upload a sound clip of you playing this please. I would love to hear you play it better than Brian Crumpler.

You're supposed to start slow and get much faster (rush them), ending much louder than when you started. Dunno if I described it right though.

<Added>

Note: The French command in the passage you speak of is "en serrant" which translates as "tightening." All musical cues in this piece need to be taken literally.

See also http://clarinet.cc/archives/2004/05/debussy_rhapsod.html for more tips.

Hey McCrevis: I actually studied with DePeyer at Queens College of the City U. of NY in the early '70s. Who the hell are you? I appreciate your comments and have copied them to pass on to my clar. section this summer in NY. Are you a real player? I am a real pro and former school band director. I love your 8th notes schtick. Please repond. TMH

Why does people have to gang up on McC boy?

I've never heard of Davey Crumpler either.

Gervaise dePeyer sounds like a tense, wet fart. He sucks.

Mr McCrevis, I know you are an expert because I have followed your comments and advice previously on this forum. I have noticed that you have said several times that there is no such thing as an eighth note. After doing much research, I have discovered that playing two tied sixteenth notes sounds very much like the mythical eighth note. Do you agree ?
Yours respectfully
Alan