Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs
Encyclopedia
Prelude, Fugue and Riffs is a "written-out" jazz-in-concert hall composition written by Leonard Bernstein
for a jazz ensemble, which features a solo clarinet
.
The title points to the union of classical music
and jazz
: Prelude (first movement) and Fugue (second movement) —both baroque forms— are followed immediately without a pause by a series of “riffs” (third movement), which is a jazz idiom
for a repeated and short melodic figure.
It features:
Completed in 1949 for Woody Herman
's big band
as part of a series of commissioned works —that already included Stravinsky
's Ebony Concerto
— it was never performed by Herman as the Thundering Herd
had disbanded and would reform only 15 years later.
Instead, it received its premiere as part of Bernstein's Omnibus television show, "The World of Jazz" on October 16, 1955, with Benny Goodman
—Leonard's Tanglewood
neighbour and friend since the 1940's— as the soloist and to whom the work is now dedicated.
In 1952 Bernstein revised the score from its original instrumentation for a more conventional pit orchestra, and the work was then incorporated into a ballet sequence in the first draft of the musical comedy Wonderful Town
, the sister piece of On the Town. The revised version of Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs did not survive and the majority of the music was cut from the final version of the Wonderful Town score with the exception of a few phrases in the musical's "Conquering the City" and "Conversation Piece".
It later was transcribed for clarinet and orchestra by Lukas Foss
.
Recording of big band version
Recordings available on CD
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
for a jazz ensemble, which features a solo clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
.
The title points to the union of classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
: Prelude (first movement) and Fugue (second movement) —both baroque forms— are followed immediately without a pause by a series of “riffs” (third movement), which is a jazz idiom
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
for a repeated and short melodic figure.
It features:
- brass and rhythm in the first movement,
- saxophones in the second movement, and
- the entire ensemble plus solo clarinet in the third movement first with backing from the pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
then by the entire ensemble.
Completed in 1949 for Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
's big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
as part of a series of commissioned works —that already included Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
's Ebony Concerto
Ebony Concerto
Ebony Concerto may refer to:*Ebony Concerto by John Taras, a dance in the repertory of New York City Ballet*Ebony Concerto by Damian Woetzel, a dance in the repertory of New York City Ballet*Ebony Concerto by Igor Stravinsky...
— it was never performed by Herman as the Thundering Herd
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
had disbanded and would reform only 15 years later.
Instead, it received its premiere as part of Bernstein's Omnibus television show, "The World of Jazz" on October 16, 1955, with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
—Leonard's Tanglewood
Tanglewood
Tanglewood is an estate and music venue in Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is the home of the annual summer Tanglewood Music Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, and has been the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home since 1937. It was the venue of the Berkshire Festival.- History...
neighbour and friend since the 1940's— as the soloist and to whom the work is now dedicated.
In 1952 Bernstein revised the score from its original instrumentation for a more conventional pit orchestra, and the work was then incorporated into a ballet sequence in the first draft of the musical comedy Wonderful Town
Wonderful Town
Wonderful Town is a musical with a book written by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Leonard Bernstein...
, the sister piece of On the Town. The revised version of Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs did not survive and the majority of the music was cut from the final version of the Wonderful Town score with the exception of a few phrases in the musical's "Conquering the City" and "Conversation Piece".
It later was transcribed for clarinet and orchestra by Lukas Foss
Lukas Foss
Lukas Foss was a German-born American composer, conductor, and pianist.-Music career:He was born Lukas Fuchs in Berlin, Germany in 1922. His father was the philosopher and scholar Martin Fuchs...
.
Discography
Recordings by Leonard Bernstein- Benny GoodmanBenny GoodmanBenjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
. Benny Goodman Collector's Edition, CBS MK 42227 - Peter SchmidlPeter SchmidlPeter Schmidl is an Austrian clarinetist.Schmidl was born in Olomuc, Czech Republic, and studied clarinet at the Vienna Musikhochschule. He is the principal clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He has played with the MDR Orchestra, the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, and the Tokyo New...
. Bernstein Conducts Bernstein, Deutsche Grammophon 447952-2 GLB, © (1949), (p) 1992
Recording of big band version
- Wolfgang MeyerWolfgang MeyerWolfgang Meyer is a German clarinetist.Meyer studied clarinet at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart, and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover along with his sister Sabine Meyer. He has led masterclasses in Brazil, Italy, Japan, Canada and Finland. He is a member of Trio di...
. Homage to Benny Goodman, EMI Classics 7243 5 56652 2 5 © 1998, (p) 1998
Recordings available on CD
- Michael Collins. The Jazz Album, EMI CDC 7 47991 2
- Harmen de Boer. Bernstein/Copland/Gershwin/Stravinsky, Chandos CHAN 9210 © 1993, (p) 1993
- Benny GoodmanBenny GoodmanBenjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
. Benny Goodman Collector's Edition, CBS MK 42227 - Wolfgang MeyerWolfgang MeyerWolfgang Meyer is a German clarinetist.Meyer studied clarinet at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart, and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover along with his sister Sabine Meyer. He has led masterclasses in Brazil, Italy, Japan, Canada and Finland. He is a member of Trio di...
. Homage to Benny Goodman, EMI Classics 7243 5 56652 2 5 © 1998, (p) 1998 - Peter SchmidlPeter SchmidlPeter Schmidl is an Austrian clarinetist.Schmidl was born in Olomuc, Czech Republic, and studied clarinet at the Vienna Musikhochschule. He is the principal clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He has played with the MDR Orchestra, the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, and the Tokyo New...
. Bernstein Conducts Bernstein, Deutsche Grammophon 447952-2 GLB, © (1949), (p) 1992 - Richard StoltzmanRichard StoltzmanRichard Stoltzman is an American clarinetist. Born Richard Leslie Stoltzman in Omaha, Nebraska, he spent his early years in San Francisco, California and Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from Woodward High School in 1960. Today, Stoltzman is part of the faculty list at the New England Conservatory...
. Copland/Corigliano/Bernstein, RCA Victor Red Seal RD 87762 © 1988, (p) 1988
External links
- "Prelude, Fugue and Riffs" (newsletter of the Leonard Bernstein Society)