Bass Clarinet Music

Bass Clarinet Music
(Updated 6 May 2008)
For the convenience of bass clarinetists, we have listed all of our bass clarinet music on this page. Don't forget that the Orchestral Musician's CD-ROM Library also includes some bass clarinet parts.

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Books and Music marked "New!" in gold type are new publications. Those marked "New!" in teal type are new to our stock.

Excerpts and Parts

	C153: Difficult Passages and Solos for Clarinet and Bass Clarinet Book 1 edited by Alamiro Giampieri. Ricordi, PB, 134 pages. Excerpts from the symphonic and operatic works of Beethoven, Bellini, Donizetti, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Puccini, Respighi, Rossini, Schumann, Weber and more. Click on the cover image to view the Table of Contents. Use your browser's Back button to return.	24.95
	C154: Difficult Passages and Solos for Clarinet and Bass Clarinet Book 2 edited by Alamiro Giampieri. Ricordi, PB, 134 pages. Excerpts from the symphonic and operatic works of Beethoven, Berlioz, Brahms, Liszt, Respighi, Rossini, Verdi, Wagner and more. Click on the cover image to view the Table of Contents. Use your browser's Back button to return.	31.95
	C427: Orchester Probespiel - Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions Clarinet edited by Heinz Hepp and Albert Rohde. C.F. Peters, 1991, SS, 44 pages. This book of orchestra and opera excerpts was developed in Germany for use in auditions. The selections were made based on an analysis of pieces used for auditions over many years. It includes excerpts for soprano clarinet, D/E-flat clarinet and bass clarinet. The second clarinet part is also included in a number of excerpts. Click on the cover image to view the Table of Contents. Use your browser's Back button to return.	22.95
	C042: Symphonic Repertoire for the Bass Clarinet, Volume One by Michael Drapkin, Roncorp Publications, SS, 68 pages. This is the corrected version released in early 2003. This book includes 36 excerpts selected from the standard symphonic literature, some more obscure works with noteworthy bass clarinet solos, and additional pieces that frequently appear on audition lists. Composers include Gershwin, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and more. An number of the excerpts are in bass clef and several are for bass clarinet in A. The author recently noted, "It has been 24 years since the original release, and this reprint provided me the opportunity to make a couple of corrections, most notably the correct transposition of the bass clarinet part to the Berg Violin Concert, as well as some misspellings." Click on the cover image to view Table of Contents. Use your browser's Back button to return.	21.95
	C243: Symphonic Repertoire for the Bass Clarinet, Volume Two by Michael Drapkin. Roncorp Publications, 2004, SS, 64 pages. This volume includes excerpts of works by Barber, Bartok, Copland, Dvorak, Mahler, Musorgsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Schoenberg, Schuman, Shostakovich, Strauss, Stravinsky, and Walton. Click on the cover image to view Table of Contents. Use your browser's Back button to return.	21.95
	C740: Symphonic Repertoire for the Bass Clarinet, Volume Three by Michael Drapkin. Roncorp Publications, 2006, SS, 64 pages. The latest volume in this series includes excerpts from works by Barber, Bartok, Bloch, Copland, Dvorak, Grofe, Holst, Janacek, Mahler, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Respighi, Schoenberg, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, and Webern. Click on the cover image to view Table of Contents. Use your browser's Back button to return.	21.95
	Special! *SRBCSpec: Symphonic Repertoire for the Bass Clarinet Special.* All three volumes of this series at a reduced price.**	59.95

Methods

	C143: Baermann for the Alto and Bass Clarinet adapted by William E. Rhoads. Southern Music Co., 1963, SS, 46 pages. This is an adaptation of Division 3 of Baermann Method. The editor has organized the exercises by key, adjusted the upper range (to high D), added fingering suggestions, and replaced the sixth and octave interval studies with one that exercises each interval in the scale from the second to the octave.	14.95
	C633: The Bass Clarinet (Method) by Jean-Marc Volta. International Music Diffusion, 1996, PB, 119 pages. I am quite impressed by the French/English language method for the bass clarinet by Jean-Marc Volta, the principal bass clarinet of the French National Orchestra. This is an excellent source of detailed, professional bass clarinet techniques and wonderful resource for fingerings. It would be suitable for high school students and older who are coming from the clarinet to the bass clarinet and for current bass clarinetists who are searching for more information on how to become proficient on their instrument. Click on the cover image to view the Table of Contents. Use your browser's Back button to return.	49.95

Music (in order by composer)

	V09: To Be Sung Upon The Water by Dominick Argento. Boosey & Hawkes, 1974, SS, 40 + 8 pages. This piece is for high voice (soprano), clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), and piano is based on poems by William Wordsworth. It is in 8 movements with bass clarinet playing on four, B-flat soprano clarinet on three, and one tacit. Advanced college or professional level.	20.95
	*C811: My Ends Are My Beginnings* Clarinet in B-flat (Bass Clarinet) Solo by Milton Babbitt. C.F. Peters, 1990, SS, 14 pages. Milton Babbitt (1916-) is an American composer noted for pioneering serial and electronic music.This is a long (about 17 minutes), difficult solo work for clarinet switching to bass clarinet for the middle section. If you search the internet you can find a recording that can be downloaded (iTunes). Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)**	10.95
	C648: Deepwood for Bass Clarinet and Piano by David Bennett. Carl Fischer, 1937, SS, 7 + 3 pages. A popular bass clarinet solo by David Bennett who also wrote a number of frequently played clarinet quartets. Features alternating Lento and Vivace sections typical of much of Bennett's music. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)	7.95
	C1047: Fantaisie Brillante sur Carmen by François Borne transcribed for bass clarinet and piano by Rocco Parisi. Billaudot, 2002, SS, 23 + 10 pages. A challenging transcription of this work originally for flute and piano. A low E-flat instrument is all that is needed and much of this piece is in the clarion and altissimo.	50.95
	C845: Ballade for Bass Clarinet and Piano by Eugene Bozza. Southern Music Co., 1939, SS, 6 + 2 pages. One of the older bass clarinet solos in the repertoire. A popular one movement sectional piece that is at turns, lyrical and rhythmic. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)	6.50
	*C599: Phantasy Quintet Op. 93* for bass clarinet and string quartet** by York Bowen. Emerson Edition, 1954. Bowen (1884-1961) was an English composer and professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music. This piece was written sometime between 1933 and 1936 as an entry in a competition. It is in three movements: Allegro moderato (with many tempo changes); Allegro con spirito, non troppo; and Allegro moderato ma più tranquillo. Low E is the lowest bass clarinet note. Includes a score and parts. This is an advanced college or professional work.	58.95
	*WW069: Trio in D minor* for Oboe (Clarinet), Bassoon (Viola/Bass Clarinet/Basset Horn) and Piano** by Alexander Brent-Smith. Rosewood, 2003, (includes piano score and all parts). Alexander Brent-Smith (1889-1950) was a British composer, author, and teacher. This work was first performed in 1943. It is in three movements I. Allegro Moderato, II. Andante, and III. Allegretto. It should be playable by those at the early college level (and adult amateurs).	33.95
	C828: Excursions, Variations on a theme of Paganini for Bass Clarinet by Keith Ramon Cole. Emerson Edition, 1978, SS, 6 pages. A theme from Paganini and 15 variations in a variety of styles. Some altissimo but only two notes in the lower extended range. College level. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)	11.95
	*C1040: Voltage* Suite for Solo Bass Clarinet by Pierre Max Dubois. Billaudot, 1980, SS, 9 pages. Dedicated to Jean-Marc Volta. This is a relatively advanced work in five movements: II. Sarabande, II. Tango, III. Tambourin, IV. Chant, and V. Caprice. The overall duration is about 12 minutes. (The lowest note is a low E-flat.) Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)**	16.95
	*C629: Vier Lyrische Stücke (Four Lyrical Pieces) Op. 35d* for Bass Clarinet (or Clarinet) and Piano** by Heimo Erbse. Doblinger, 1981, SS, 19 + 5 pages. Erbse (1924-2005) was born and studied (flute, conducting, opera directing) in Germany, but moved to Austria in 1957. The four pieces are not named: I. Andantino (6/8), II. Allegretto (3/4), III. Lento (2/4), and IV. Allegro (various meters). College level.	28.50
	*C627: Ballade Op. 23* for Bass Clarinet (or Clarinet) and Piano** by Wolfgang Gabriel. Doblinger, 1980, SS, 22 + 12 pages. The work by Austrian composer and conductor Wolfgang Gabriel (1930-) was completed in 1974 for Josef Horák, bass clarinet, and Emma Kovarnová, piano. It is in three movements: I. Praeludium (Allegro Molto), II. Carmen (Lento), and III. Hymnus. College level.	36.95
	C907: Sonate for Bass Clarinet (Solo) by Harald Genzmer. C.F. Peters, 1990, SS, 9 pages. An advanced work for solo bass clarinet. An extended range instrument is preferred as this piece includes several low Ds. In three movements: I. Moderato, II. Presto (sempre marcato), and III. Intermezzo (Tranquillo). Duration is about 10:30. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)	42.50
	C626: Monologue 13, Configurations for Bass Clarinet by Eugene Hartzell. Doblinger, 1983, SS, 4 pages. Eugene Hartzell (1932-2000) was born and studied in the United States (through a MM at Yale) but spent most of the rest of his life in Austria. He studied with Hans Erich Apostel, a pupil of Arnold Schönberg and Alban Berg. Written in 1980, this peice for solo bass clarinet has "with Harry Sparnaay in mind" is printed above the title. An advanced piece, much of it without bar lines and with lots of altissimo. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)	13.95
	C911: Improvisation on “Lines Where Beauty Lingers” for Solo Bass Clarinet by M. William Karlins. Tritone Press, 2004, SS, 4 pages. This piece by American composer Karlins (1932-) is based on the jazz composition Lines Where Beauty Lingers by Ron Thomas. It takes the form of a theme and variations, which in this case, are called improvisations. The composer has provided performance notes. An advanced work that includes some notes in the extended lower range and a small amount of altissimo. Duration about 8 minutes. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)	8.95
	*WW142: Sonata Op. 40* for Bass Clarinet (or Bassoon) and Piano** by Michael Kibbe. Stretto Music, SB, 24 + 7 pages. This piece was composed in 1977-78 (and revised in 2005) and is a very straightforward Neoclassical style in three contrasting movements with an emphasis on clarinet of form and of the melodic ideas. The movements are: I. Allegro deciso, II. Andante tranquillo, and III. Allegro vivo. College level with a duration of about 9:30.	24.95
	*C628: Sonatine* for Bass Clarinet or Clarinet and Piano** by Manfred J. M. Nedbal. Doblinger, 1971, SS, 14 + 4 pages. Nedbal (1902-1977) was an Austrian cellist. music critic, and composer. This work was also written for Josef Horák, bass clarinet, and Emma Kovarnová, piano. It is in three movements: I. Allegro deciso, II. Adagio, and III. Presto. Early college level.	23.50
	*C1085: Romanza* for Bass Clarinet and Piano by Bartolomé Pérez Casas edited by Pedro Rubio. Bassus Ediciones Musicales, 2007, SS, 4 + 1 pages. Bartolomé Pérez Casas (1873-1956) was the conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Madrid as well as a composer, educator, and clarinetist. Originally for cello this short piece was written in 1917. In 3/4 time and Andantino tempo, it opens and closes with lyrical cantabile sections which frame the middle section of arpeggio figures. Alternatives are provided for the four measures that dip into the extended range. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)**	7.95
	*C438: Nachtstück (Night Piece)* for Bass Clarinet and Piano** by Alfred Prinz. Woodwindiana, 1999, SS, 11 + 9 pages. Premiered by Howard Klug in 1996, this single-movement piece illustrates great rhythmic interplay between the two instruments and high contrast of musical moods. Five and one-half minutes in duration.	10.95
	*C415: Lyrical Concerto for Bass Clarinet and Orchestra* (Piano Reduction)** by Simon Proctor. Southern Music Company, 2004, SS, 32 + 7 pages. The piece is for extended range bass clarinet (although the only note in the extended range is D and there are no low E-flats.) Also includes an optional part for Medieval Cupped Bells which can also be played on Tubular Bells (Chimes) or Bells (Glockenspiel). Originally written for the serpent, this cheerful and melodious piece is especially well-suited for performance on other instruments that occupy the same tonal region including the bass clarinet.	17.50
	*C431: A Talk with the Unseen* for Solo B-flat Clarinet or Solo Bass Clarinet by Sergiu Shapira. Woodwindiana, 2001. This work won the Bass Clarinet Alone Composition Contest at the ICA ClarinetFest ’99 in Belgium. Its Romanian born, Jerusalem based composer has woven a story about a search for a superior being into an attractive, and successful, programmatic presentation. Three movements: I. Questioning, II. Struggle, III. Resignation. Includes notes on the composers and the composer's notes on the piece. About 10 minutes in length. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)**	9.95
	*C1032: Tres Pensamientos* for Bass Clarinet and Percussion by Roberto Sierra. Subito Music, 2000, SS, 8 pages (two parts in score format). This is a challenging work for bass clarinet and percussion. It is in three movements: I Con precisión ritmica (with bongos and congas), II. Sensual con momentos de violencia (with sizzle cymbal, guiro, 2 cencerros, and wood block), III. Contante (with cencerros and congas). Duration about 3 minutes. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)**	12.95
	*C310: Wings* for Solo Clarinet or Bass Clarinet by Joan Tower. Associated Music Publishers, 1983, 7 pages. A challenging contemporary work for clarinet. (This work does not include extended techniques.) Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)**	9.50
	C1061: Duet for Bass Clarinet and Piano Op. 121 by Jakob Vejslev. Warner/Chappell Music Denmark, 1998, SS, 9 + 2 pages. Danish composer Jakob Vejslev (1957-) began his musical career as a pop/rock guitarist but has evolved into a jazz guitarist and a composer. This piece requires a low C bass clarinet but is not especially difficult. The format is a bit unusual as the treble clef version of the bass clarinet part is in the score with the piano part and a separate bass clef part is bound in following it. Free Media Mail shipping on this music to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)	23.95
	C1062: Four Solos for Bass Clarinet Op. 97, 105, 106 & 107 by Jakob Vejslev. Warner/Chappell Music Denmark, 1998, SS, 23 pages. This set of pieces marks the beginning of Vejslev's compositions for bass clarinet. They were written for Dutch clarinetist Bert Chan (who is listed as a co-editor). The first and last solo use the extended bass clarinet range and are a bit more difficult than the other two (but should be easily playable by college bass clarinetists). An unusual feature of this collection is that all the pieces are presented in both treble and bass clef.	28.50

Music Collections (in order by title)

	C418: 10 Solos for Concert and Contest for Bass Clarinet and Piano arranged by William E. Rhoads. Southern Music Co., 1968, SS, 50 + 16 pages. Ten solos based on studies by S. Lee, Fiorillo, Capelle, C. Baermann, and original compositions by William Rhoads, himself.	17.95
	B27: Bach Suites for Cello Solo Transcribed for the Bassoon by Arthur Weisberg. Arthur Weisberg, 2002, SB, 67 pages. This book contains the first five of Bach's Six Suites for Solo Cello, among the greatest music ever written for a solo instrument. (The sixth was not included because of extensive use of double stops and range issues.) The transcriber provides notes on tempos, grace notes, breaths, dynamics, vibrato, trills, and repeats. While this book is well printed and easy to read, there are some pasted-in corrections. Suggested for bass clarinetists who wish to work on bass clef. Many of the pieces are playable with a low e-flat instrument and virtually all with a low c bass clarinet.	31.95
	*C189: Concert and Contest Collection for Bass Clarinet* Bass Clarinet Part by Himie Voxman. Rubank, 1973, SS, 23 pages. This book contains 14 original and transcribed works for bass clarinet and piano. There are pieces here for second to forth year students and possibly beyond. Alexandre Beon Andante from the Concerto in B-flat major, Clarence E. Hurrell Chincoteague, Leroy Ostransky Concertino in D minor, G.F. Handel Concerto No. 8 in B-flat, F.J. Haydn Divertissement B-flat, Jean-Baptiste Loeillet Largo & Allegro from Sonata I Op. 3 and Largo & Allegro Vivace from the Sonata in B-flat major, J.S. Bach Minuet & Gigue from Suite No. 1 for solo cello (unaccompanied) and Sarabande & Bourrée from First French Suite, Richard H. Walthew Mosaic, Victor Voloschinov (Voloshinov) Patrol Russe, Serge Prokifieff Romance & Troika from Lieutenant Kijé Suite, Richard Hervig Sonatina, and Two Russian Pieces: Vasily Kalinikoff (Kalinnikov) Lament and Viktor Kossenko Scherzo. C190: Concert and Contest Collection for Bass Clarinet Piano Accompaniment** by Himie Voxman. Rubank, 1973, SS, 60 pages. Piano accompaniment to C189.	C189: 4.95 C190: 6.95
	C1068: Grands Opéras et Ballets for clarinet (bass clarinet) and piano arranged by Robert Fontaine. Billaudot, 2004, SS, 36 + 12 pages. Here is a collection of clarinet solos from operas and ballets arranged for clarinet and piano. It includes: Mozart La Clémence de Titus (Parto parto); Bellini Les Capulets et Les Montaigus (Act III, Scene 4); Donizetti Maria de Rudenz (Act II, Introduction) for bass clarinet or clarinet; Pacini Saffo (Act III, Largo); Verdi Ernani (Act III, Prelude) for bass clarinet or clarinet, Luisa Miller Overture, Les Vêpres Siciliennes, Act III, Scene 2, Ballet), and La Force du Destin (Act III, Scene 2); Berlioz Les Troyens (La prise de Troyes No. 6: Pantomime) for clarinet in A; Puccini Tosca (Act III, Scene 1) for clarinet in A; and Delibes Coppelia (First Tableau, No. 6) for clarinet in A.	36.95

Studies and Exercises (in order by title)

	C140: 18 Selected Studies for Alto and Bass Clarinet edited by William E. Rhoads. Etudes taken from the work of Lazurus, Rose, Demnitz, Rode, Baermann, Kietzer, Mazas, Muller, and Capelle. Major and minor keys from 4 flats to 4 sharps. Conservative range.	8.95
	C141: 21 Foundation Studies for Alto and Bass Clarinet compiled and edited by William E. Rhoads. Etudes taken from the work of Lee, Dotzauer, Buchler, Platti, Schroder, Merck, Kummer, Franchomme, and Duport (several of these have been identified as composers of cello etudes). Keys from 4 flats to 2 sharps. Conservative range.	13.95
	C142: 35 Technical Studies for Alto or Bass Clarinet by William E. Rhoads. Southern Music Co., 1962, SS, 36 pages. A variety of useful exercises for low clarinets including studies on crossing the break, articulation, little fingers, chords, and in various keys.	11.95
	C1090: 101 Studies for Bass Clarinet Vol. I by Pedro Rubio. Musica Didactica, 2004, PB, 56 pages. The first book in this series has 25 studies from the 18th and 19th centuries arranged for low C bass clarinet (and can also be used for basset horn or basset clarinet). The emphasis in this book is on the lower register and especially the extended range, although alternatives are provided for the extended passages. This book is entirely in treble clef.	27.95
	C1091: 101 Studies for Bass Clarinet Vol. II by Pedro Rubio. Musica Didactica, 2006, PB, 83 pages. The principal aim of this book is the study of the German notation system for bass clarinet. This is explained along with the French notation system and the method used by Stravinsky. This book has 30 studies from the 18th and 19th centuries, arranged for low C bass clarinet (and also suggested for basset horn or contrabass clarinet). These exercises include both bass and treble clef (frequently alternating in some). Alternative notation is provided for low E-flat instruments.	30.95
	C147: Advanced Studies from Julius Weissenborn Adapted for Alto and Bass Clarinets by William E. Rhoads. Southern Music Company, SS, 28 pages. Thirty-four studies adapted from Weissenborn bassoon studies.	10.50
	C170: Bass Clarinet Scale Book by Martin Arnold. Aztecpress, Second Edition 2003, SB, 74 pages. This book was originally developed to assist those with a bass clarinet to low C gain proficiency in the extended range and in bass clef. The second edition, more than double in length, includes all of the original material and adds scales in treble clef for both low C and low E-flat instruments. It contains scales and chords of various types in all keys. It also includes technique exercises to develop fluency in the extended range. Click on the cover for more information from the author's web site.	21.95
	C144: Etudes for Technical Facility for Alto and Bass Clarinet arranged and compiled by William E. Rhoads. Southern Music Co., 1965, SS, 24 pages. Twenty etudes for the student who has mastered the fundamentals of a correct embouchure and tone production and is now ready to attack the problem of moving the fingers quickly. In the keys of F, C, and G.	8.50
	G65: Rhythmical Articulation (for bass clef instruments) by Pasquale Bona selected and transcribed by William D. Fitch. Carl Fischer, 1969, SS, 47 pages. The bass clef edition has Parts II and III from the original, 41 etudes. Useful for bassoon, trombone, cello, euphonium, tuba, and bass clarinetist's who want to work on bass clef.	11.50

Bindings: HB: Hard Bound, PB: Perfect Bound (paperback with square spine), SS: Saddle Stitch (paper, folded and stapled), SB: Spiral Bound (plastic or metal, comb or spiral).

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