Klarinet Archive - Posting 000078.txt from 1995/10

From: Timothy Tikker and Julia Harlow <tjt@-----.ORG>
Subj: Octocontrabass, A-flat, octave clarinets
Date: Thu, 5 Oct 1995 03:45:55 -0400

1. My understanding is that the Octocontrabass in B-flat was a prototype
which never went into production. Apparently one could request to see
one at Leblanc in France, and those who did were quite impressed. I've
seen a picture only once, in a book by Montague.

I once saw and article in the old Woodwind magazine announcing that
Leblanc had produced a subcontrabass in E-flat (subcontralto), and seemed
to be attempting to market it - but that's all I've ever heard of it.

2. In the Nonesuch recording of Berlioz' _Symphonie funebre et
triomphale_ (H-71368, stereo LP) by Musique des Gardiens de le Paix de
Paris, I have heard what sounded distinctly like an A-flat clarinet, but
in ensemble. I'll have to give it another listen.

3. No.

- Tim Tikker <tjt@-----.org>