Klarinet Archive - Posting 000088.txt from 1995/10

From: Tom Izzo <tji@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Octocontrabass, A-flat, octave clarinets
Date: Thu, 5 Oct 1995 13:58:28 -0400

On Thu, 5 Oct 1995, Timothy Tikker and Julia Harlow wrote:

> 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.

I have a little information on the Double Contra-Alto (never heard it
called an OctoContrabass, though). Lalo Shifrin in his "Mission
Impossible" score asked his friend Lucien Calliet (then 1st Clarinet of
Philadelphia Orch), how he could get a sub octave Contra sound to
reinforce fundamentals. One such instrument was built & played by Calliet
for the recordings. Last I heard that instrument remained Calliet's
property and was listed in his estate.

> 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.

I've never heard a commercial recording of orchestral literature using
the Ab, but I have a colleague who uses one in Clarinet Choir literature
(and once in a great while, we'll use it in a jazz combo.

Tom
tji@-----.edu