Klarinet Archive - Posting 000361.txt from 1995/12

From: Alan Stanek <STANALAN@-----.EDU>
Subj: Handel's MESSIAH orchestration with clarinets
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 15:43:42 -0500

Messiah aficionados:

Recently there were posts about where one might find the use of clarinets in
Handel's MESSIAH. Dan Leeson's reply was a good one concerning the
orchestration done by Ebenezer Prout that was suitable for use with the
Coopersmith edition of the vocal score publishes by Carl Fischer. I
understand these orchestral parts are no longer available for sale but can
be rented. At least the original orchestration by Handel is carefully noted.

Looking through ORCHESTRAL MUSIC: A Source Book, by David Daniels (Scarecrow
Press, Inc. 1972), another version that uses clarinets is an orchestration
by Mozart, published by Peters.

The Prout edition refered to earlier is listed as being published by G.
Schirmer. Current scholarship is such that we rarely hear or can find
recorded versions such as that referred to by Dan Leeson.

My wife's favorite recording was a "romantic" one conducted by Sir Thomas
Beecham that included everything except the kitchen sink. Full brass and
woodwind sections plus mutiple percussion parts. That was the only version
she had available when she was growing up. It was a shock for her when I
conducted an authentic version some years ago.

Now there are some wonderful recordings availabe - but without clarinets!

Happy holidays everyone!
Alan Stanek, Professor of Music at Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID 83209-8099 e-mail <stanalan@-----.edu>
President-elect - International Clarinet Association