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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000016.txt from 2003/06

From: Arthur Grossman <artg@-----.edu>
Subj: [DR-L] McGill
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 20:42:49 -0400

For some reason I cannot post to IDRS list, so am writing to the double
reed list, which I think also goes to IDRS members. In any case, yes
David McGill uses a Christlieb shape. It is based on a Knochenhauer shape
and does have a slightly outward curve to the shape ( as does the Fox
Ishsikawa shape). It is also true, as someone pointed out that equipment
does not determine the outcome. In my recording of the Plagge Trio for 2
bassoons and piano, Seth Krimsky, the wonderful principal bassoon of the
Seattle Symphony, played on a Heckel with a Letizinger bocal and using a
Herzberg reed shape. I played on a Wolf bassoon with a Heckel bocal and
my own reed shape which is quite different. The blend and tuning was
fantastic. The CD was made several years ago, and when I listen to it
now, I am sometimes confused as to who is playing!!

It is what you hear in your internal ear and mind which determines what
you sound like. No-one yet has been able to tell which of my recordings
was made on Heckel and which on Wolf bassoons.

Arthur Grossman, Professor Emeritus
Bassoon, Heckelphone and Contrabassoon
School of Music
Box 353450
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-3450