What is your go-to piece of clarinet music that always lifts your mood?

Heather I first startedsto learn the Concerto back in the summer/fall 1of 1969 for regional band tryouts. I never got to audition  as I came down with bronchitis. I was relieved in a way; but of all the audition pieces, that was my favorite as it was my best shot. I switched to flute and I was going to major on that instrument in college. Ended up in the visual arts. I have since rediscovered my love for clarinet and used that as audition piece for a local community orchestra. My teacher at the time suggeted that I play it on the A clarinet, which I did. My goal was to keep my head during the audition. I did and was asked to join the group. I have been experiencing a number of health issues, but the one constant is my clarinet. I use the Mozart to achiever inner balance.  plan to return to the composition and practice it in earnest.

Heather I would say that the main challenges might be a continuity of air producing a good sound, good voicing,, dexterity of fingers, establishing a mood among the three movements, and keeping a sense of humor while working on all of the above.

Thomas Donio that was a great movie (btw, it was Steve Allen, not Steve Martin).  Fun fact - one of my teachers was Donald Lituchy, whose teacher was Augustin Duques, formerly of the Juilliard faculty.  Duques gave Steve Allen ten lessons so he'd look natural holding and pretending to play the clarinet.  And you're right about the Mozart Concerto!

Donald Lurye Thanks. It didn't look quite right after I had written it.. I was thinking to myself how to tell the difference between the two Steve's. Those Senior moments!

Thomas Donio The movie is from 1956 when Steve Martin was 11 years old, LOL!!  He'd have been good, though.  And I'll see your senior moment and raise you two more.