Klarinet Archive - Posting 000184.txt from 1995/06

From: Jay Heiser <jay@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: RE>Dan Leeson's comments on
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 1995 15:24:14 -0400

How often can you find this combination of instruments. Do most large music
schools have a couple of piccolo clarinets and a suite of contralto/bass? I've
never seen a D Sopranino. Most C clarinets are not professional quality.
Choir #2 would cost a fortune if you had to buy them all new.

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From: Tom Izzo
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 1995 00:37
To: Multiple recipients of list KLARINET
Subject: Re: RE>Dan Leeson's comments on

OK, I'm going to jump in on this one. (I'm the brass player, but I'm also
a composer and arranger).

For many years I've been writing (both compositions & arrangements) large
Clarinet choir music for several local choirs.

Yes, I do my own writing, Clarinetestrating <:)> & copying. As a composer
I write for the instruments that I want to hear play the part. As a
non-clarinetist, I DO NOT neccessarily write for a A or Bb or C Clarinet
because it's easier to play, but rather what sounds better tonally to me.

You who have been arguing this point may find this interesting. My
"standard" choir instrumentation is:
Ab Piccolo
Eb Sopranino
Sop 1 in Bb
Sop 2 in Bb
Sop 3 in Bb
Sop 4 in A
Alto in Eb
Bass 1 in Bb
Bass 2 in Bb
Contra Alto in Eb
Contra Bass in Bb
String Bass

but I have also written for a group with:
Ab Piccolo
Sopranino 1 in Eb
Sopranino 2 in D
Sop 1 in C
Sop 2 in Bb
Sop 3 in Bb
Sop 4 in Bb
Sop 5 in A
Sop 6 in A
Sop 7 in A
Bassett Horn in F
Alto in Eb
Bass 1 in Bb
Bass 2 in Bb
CA 1 in Eb
CA 2 in Eb
CB in Bb
Cello
String Bass
Piano

Dan & John-any comments?

Tom
tji@-----.edu