Concert Repertoire for Clarinet: Clarinet & Piano Book

This collection strikes an uncommon balance between genuine concert appeal and intermediate-level accessibility. The mix of familiar jazz standards, clever arrangements of classical masters, and original compositions gives clarinetists real variety without diluting the musical content, and the pairing with a world-class performer ensures every piece has been vetted for both playability and impact.

The collection spans from the swinging irreverence of Gershwin to the intricate counterpoint of Bach recast for modern ears, and from the lyrical warmth of Puccini to the angular modernism of Penderecki. You'll find yourself shifting between jazz swagger, baroque clarity, romantic expressiveness, and contemporary color within the same book.

Intermediate to early advanced clarinet players preparing for recitals, competitions, or concert performances. This collection works equally well for students seeking engaging solo repertoire and for teachers building a varied performance library that balances accessibility with musical substance.

• Approach the jazz pieces (particularly I Got Rhythm) with rhythmic confidence and a lighter articulation than you might use in classical repertoire; these arrangements reward a conversational phrasing style.
• Use the contrasts between arranged classics and original works to develop your interpretive range within a single practice session, shifting your tonal color and approach as the repertoire demands.
• Collaborate closely with your pianist during early rehearsals to clarify rhythmic subdivisions and stylistic intentions, especially in pieces that blend genres or shift between classical and contemporary idioms.

Build a thematic recital by grouping pieces by era or stylistic family, allowing the clarinet's range to shine across different musical languages. Alternatively, intersperse arrangements and original compositions throughout a program to maintain variety and energy, using the familiar melodies (Gershwin, Bach Goes to Town) as anchors alongside less-known works by Reger and Arnold.

• Stylistic flexibility across jazz, classical, and contemporary idioms
• Phrasing and articulation differentiation
• Sight-reading within graded difficulty levels
• Collaboration with piano accompaniment
• Concert-ready interpretation and performance stamina