From the Clarinet D'Amour to the Contra Bass

This text is the first graduate music theory review designed specifically to address the one-semester course for beginning graduate students in music. Based on The Complete Musician, the text is more than a shortened version of an undergraduate tonal harmony text; it addresses students as colleagues and explores analytical applications that are appealing and practical, extending beyond the undergraduate level. The text provides a means to discuss theperception and cognition, the analysis and performance, and the composition and reception of common-practice tonal music. The clarity and brevity of this text relies on the presentation of only those crucial concepts and procedures that are manifested in the vast majority of tonal pieces. The only text exercises are at chapter ends: two- to three-page "Analytical extensions," which introduce one new topic through one or two works from the repertoire, and then develop the topic in a model analysis. Appendixes will include keyboard exercises, model composition strategies and assignments, and sample solutions. An accompanying workbook is organized by chapter into discrete assignments, each progressing from short, introductory analytical and writing exercises to more-involved tasks. Included is a DVD of recordings by the Eastman students and faculty of musical examples from the text and analytical exercises from the workbook.Following his much-acclaimed The Baroque Clarinet and The Clarinet in the Classical Period, Albert R. Rice now turns his signature detailed attention to large clarinets - the clarinet d'amour, the basset horn, the alto clarinet, bass and contra bass clarinets. Each chapter is devoted to a specific instrument, and offers a fascinating insider's look at its defining characteristics, a comprehensive history of its evolution, meticulously-researched information on its makers and aspects of construction, and a thorough discussion of its music. Rice illustrates how the introduction of large clarinets into chamber ensembles, wind bands, and opera orchestras were the results of experiments meant to address specific musical needs. Along the way, he bringsto life the musicians, virtuosi, soloists, and orchestral and band musicians, as well as the instruments' makers and the composers from J. C. Bach to Smetana who wrote for them. Based on careful study of primary sources - musical compositions, patents, memoirs and diaries, and unfettered access to historical instruments themselves -Rice's expert presentation is nothing short of exhaustive. From the Clarinet d'Amour to the Contrabass will engage all who love the clarinet and its music.