Guys guys guys! Band music is not specifically CLARINET repertoire so it doesn`t count, particularly if it is an arrangement. ALOMARvelous12 was talking about very important repertoire for classical clarinet and orchestra/piano/chamber group, not band music which is, for the most part, shlock. (By the way, guys, if you want really good band music, go for symphonic wind ensemble works by Adam Gorb, Percy Grainger, Kenneth Hesketh etc.)
I think that the most important works for clarinet are: (not necessarily in this order except the first one)
1. W.A. Mozart: Concerto in A - An absolute necessity for any clarinetist to learn. It is a required piece in 99% of orchestral auditions and not only that, it teaches a studying clarinetist rhythmic discipline, articulation, and most of all, expression. Its an absolute gem of a concerto, arguably the best concerto ever written for any woodwind instrument.
2. C. Debussy: Premiere Rhapsodie - This piece is a glorious example of impressionism at work. It has moments of sublime beauty and is considerably difficult technically. Also asked a lot in orchestral auditions
3. C. M. Von Weber: Concerto No. 1 - A very technically advanced piece designed to `show off` the soloist. Has its moments of difficult articulation but has infamous melodic lines, despite feeling like a technical exercise sometimes.
4. WA Mozart - Quintet. Actually my preference of the two main clarinet works by Mozart. Just gorgeous. Difficult but yet strangely similar to the concerto. I just like the accompaniment so much better. ALOMARvelous12, I agree with the BBC.
5. CM Von Weber: Concertino - An adorable piece, unlike the concertos in that it departs from scalic passages and relies more on a melodic line. Another showy piece
6. CM Von Weber: Concerto No 2. - More difficult of the two concertos, particularly the third movement, which relies on flawless technique in some passages. As, if not more of a show-off piece than the first. 2nd movement doesn`t match the other two movements quite as well, though.
7. J Brahms: Sonata in F Minor - Beautiful, melancholic indication of Brahms in his later life. He died not long after the premiere of this work, probably because he couldn`t have written anything better. Its wonderful.
8. C. Neilsen: Concerto - Very difficult but rewarding piece. Relies on all aspects of a clarinetist`s technique and expression. Not often performed but doesn`t mean it doesn`t deserve a place in the top ten.
9. I. Stravinsky: 3 Pieces for Clarinet Solo - I think it is important to include this unaccompanied work as it not only forms a large part of any clarinetist`s repertoire but requires a lot of skill in the 2nd and 3rd movement. The first movement is not difficult but has an ambience that only Stravinsky could have evoked.
10. G Rossini: Introduction, Theme and Variations - This encore piece is a sure-fire audience pleaser and is good as an encore piece. Technically difficult and its operatic style is difficult to evoke but incredibly rewarding and enormously fun to play. Boring for orchestra or if a reduction, the pianist but clarinet gets to show off. Need I say more.
My favourite 5 solo works for clarinet are:
5. Saint-Saens Sonata. (Glorious! And more difficult than it looks)
4. Rossini - Introduction, Theme And Variations (Great fast-paced fun!!)
3. Brahms - F Minor Sonata (Melancholic and heartwrenching)
2. Malcolm Arnold - Sonatina (Awesome display of crazy clown-like fun!)
1. Debussy - Premiere Rhapsodie (Gives me tingles in that opening few minutes. Wow!)
Alyssa
