Klarinet Archive - Posting 000250.txt from 1994/09

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Rachmaninoff second symphony
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 1994 15:15:52 -0400

A question arose about availability of the Rach. symphony number 2 for
bass in B-flat since the printed part is available only for bass in A.

I just played the piece two weeks ago and, because I like to keep copies of
everything, I contacted Kalmus (the only publisher of the work and they simply
copied the original printing) and they do not make a B-flat part availble.

What I now do if and when I want a part transposed to avoid nervousness
during performance (such as a tough D clarinet part), is I put the part
into my FINALE software system exactly as it is written. Bass in A in the
bass cleff. It takes a couple of hours for a very long part. Then I request
that FINALE transpose the part for me (or change clefs, or both) and then
print it out.

So whoever has the Rach 2 and wants it in B-flat, find someone with a
FINALE system (or other music printing software - they all transpose). Then
invest the time and you will have a beautifully printed part.

I may do that this year with Sorcerer's apprentice even though it is in B-flat
because whenever the part goes into bass clef, it has to sound an octave higher
than it is written (like old German notation) and the mix of the two systems
on the same work drives me nuts.

Music printing software is really becoming a necessity for the average
performer. One has to do a lot of copying in an orchestra and no one will
do it for you well.

Another example Daphnis where there are spots where the ballet (not the
suite, the whole ballet) is more easily played on bass in A. But it is a
tough transposition so I entered my part into my FINALE system and transposed
only those portions that I wanted to have transposed. Then I printed out
the whole thing and switched bass clarinets as the need arose. That is sort
of like lowering the river instead of raising the bridge.

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
(leeson@-----.edu)
(dnl2073@-----.edu)
Any of the above three addresses may be used. Take your pick.
====================================