Klarinet Archive - Posting 000069.txt from 1994/02

From: "Dr. Ronald P. Monsen" <RPMONS00@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Clarinet in Ireland
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 10:33:26 -0500

In reply to your question about RECITAL series clarinets--I have several Bb's
and two A's. My son plays on one set--those with the f vent. My original set
was auditioned in Paris in 1984 just before they were introduced at the ICA
held in London of that year. The bore is not the same--other than many things
about cones--reversed polycylindrical, etc. it is somewhat smaller--because of

this the standard length barrel is 64.5mm with 62.5mm being supplied for a high
er pitch. For me these clarinets are very fine--the tuning will not agree with

anyone playing some other French clarinets in which the top b and c in the

clarion register soar like a frisbee. These play the pitches on target--given
that the player does his bit. My choice of mouthpiece with these instruments
in the SELMER C85 either the 105 or the 115. These are "over-the-counter"
products and have not been re-worked by a French mouthpiece elf in Provence or
anywhere other than Mantes-les-villes.

I had some original doubts when I first began playing them about projection--
the are very "dark" (sorry--let us not get into that--anyway my concept of the
tonal production and projection to my ears). I played them on a program in
Seattle in a very large lecture hall. More like an operating theater in a

medical school. Seats going way up and back. We did the the Stark sonata in
g minor for two clarinets and bassett horn and other lesser known works. After

the performance I asked about the projection from the members in attendance-
as I recall it was Mohler, Portnoy and several other university teachers. It
carried--but I did not feel it at the time.

I am also playing the newest entry into the SELMER market of soprano clarinets=
SERIES 10 S II with the C95. It has been reworked from previous models--and
the thing is so new that the A's are not even in production yet. I am going

to play the 10 S II on two Lefevre sonatas and a work of Kreutzer this Friday.
The Stadler duo and the Yost trio on the RECITAL. I am anxious to hear what
the members of the audience say--if they notice. The 10 S II is a standard
wall thickness clarinet.

I know none of this is scientific--nor even well written. But I must hurry.

I would really like to get into the Kell thing. If you read a late biography
of Kell you will notice that he died in Frankfort, KY at his home. There are
several stories I would like to relate to those interested but time makes

that impossible right now. However, I will state that in my opinion Kell
was (for me) probably one of the greatest wind instrumentalist I have ever h
heard--and that includes John Barrows.

I must run--if you want I can discuss the clarinets I described in more detail-
bore size and all that but I do not want to just start tossing figures off with
out proper thought.

Must run to rehearsal--it is incredible that part of my life involves making
music with the clarinet almost everyday. Ron Monsen UKSOMLEXKY