Two Famous Ave Marias: Clarinet & Keyboard Part(s)

Two of the most requested pieces in one package, arranged thoughtfully for clarinet and keyboard without losing the intimacy that makes these melodies so beloved. David Marlatt's straightforward adaptation lets the famous lines sing through, making this an ideal choice for students ready to tackle repertoire that audiences actually know and care about.

Serene and reverent, with a quality of unrushed prayer. The familiar melodies carry warmth and simplicity, yet performing them with care reveals the careful architecture beneath, each phrase connects to the next with gentle inevitability, creating a sense of timelessness that transcends the specific occasion.

Intermediate clarinetists preparing recital or competition repertoire, as well as student soloists looking for pieces with genuine musical substance and built-in audience recognition. This works equally well for the player developing expressive, singing tone and the ensemble needing a special performance feature.

• Shape the long phrases with gentle dynamic swells rather than straight mezzo-forte. These melodies reward a vocalist's approach to phrasing, even on an instrumental.
• Coordinate closely with your pianist about tempo flexibility. A slight breath and gentle ritardando at cadences will feel more natural than mechanical timing.
• Balance tone quality over technical perfection. The warmth of the sound matters more than pristine articulation in these intimate settings.
• Practice the melody without the keyboard accompaniment first to internalize the shape and emotional arc independent of harmonic support.

Open a recital with one of these pieces to establish an intimate, focused mood, or use either as a closing encore that sends the audience out with a melody they'll remember. Both work beautifully on ceremony programs (weddings, memorials, seasonal concerts) where the clarinet's singing quality and the keyboard's supportive role create an atmosphere of gentle elegance.

• Sustaining and shaping long melodic lines without harmonic interest driving the phrasing
• Balancing tone warmth with clarity across the range
• Coordinating with a keyboard player through rubato and phrase breathing
• Interpreting sacred repertoire with appropriate restraint and emotional directness
• Managing the emotional weight of familiar music without over-sentimentalizing it