Klarinet Archive - Posting 000409.txt from 1994/12

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Re-raising a point (Linda Thomas' comments)
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 16:56:45 -0500

The bass clarinet part in the Nutcracker Ballet is an independent part, though
it does play along with the clarinets from time to time. It has about 8
solos of considerable importance including those made famous by the Suite.
Most of the time, the b.c. is used as a bass instrument via bassoon or
cello. As I remember, there is only one unison with clarinets in the
entire work.

The Nutcracker is not an early Tchaikovsky work. He had become very
proficient in how to write for that instrument. The is a solo of some
length in his earlier opera "Queen of Spades" that tells me he know the
character of the instrument.

But as to why he calls for an A bass when B-flat sopranos are playing,
and vice versa (though far less frequently), remains a mystery. You know
my conclusion but it is simply supposition based on a modest amount of
evidence. There is, however, one killer part that he puts on A bass because
in B-flat bass it is in 6 or 7 sharps. I remember how hard it was when I
was transposing the part. But except for that, he seems to delight in
selecting an instrument based on unclear reasons.

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Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
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