Klarinet Archive - Posting 000096.txt from 1995/06

From: SCOTT MCCHESNEY <scmcchesney@-----.NET>
Subj: Why Bb - reply
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 1995 14:19:38 -0400

[oter stuff snipped]

>I think I read somewhere that the preponderance of orchestral music
>is in flat keys: B-flat, E-flat, and A-flat. Since a clarinet in
>B-flat is always written in 2 flats less than the concert key, such
>an instrument is invariably written in a less complicated key rather
>than a more complicated key.

OK - so was the music written in flat keys, and the Bb Clarinet
developed, or was the music written in flat keys BECAUSE the Bb Clarinet was
around? I find it hard to believe the second one, but that's just my guess.

[other interesting stuff snipped]

>It also seemed to me that Scott said or implied that no one is writing
>for A clarinet today. Did I misunderstand him? If not, his statement
>is not correct by a country mile. The A clarinet is still a very
>popular instrument amongst contemporary composers.

Your question is valid; I did say that the A was hardly used anymore
today. Rather an imprudent statement, considering I'm in the middle of Iowa
and am forced to make a guess as to its current use. I honestly didn't know,
and was basing the statement on the belief that the Bb was the instrument used
most in current use.

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

-- Scott

   
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