Klarinet Archive - Posting 000047.txt from 1996/01

From: thehat@-----.ORG
Subj: M-13 mouthpiece and some
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 14:29:48 -0500

I haven't seen any positive responses about the M-13 so far so I guess
I'll have to write one. I tried Michael Rusinek's (Asst. Principal
clarinet, National Symphony) M-13 mouthpiece this summer and liked it very
much. The response and intonation were excellent and the best part was how
easily the mouthpiece voiced all registers. I still continue to use my
Pyne JX, but would consider switching if I found the right M 13.

Also, I heard Bill Hudgins (pricipal, BSO) play a little last summer when
he was visiting with his wife in CHarleston, SC (where I lived at the
time). He was using an M-13 and sounded wonderful (of course). The M13 is
also used by Gregory Raden, new principal of the Kennedy Center Opera and
a terrific player with a great sound, and Sam Caveizal, just-appointed
principal clarinetist of the Grand Rapids Symphony.

I also just remembered meeting Kevin Schempf, second clarinetist in
Syracuse (another terrific player), a few months ago. He also loves his
M-13.

This is, in my opinion, very widespread use of a new, commercially
manufactured mouthpiece by players on extremely high levels who generally
don't make mouthpiece changes too often. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents
to defend what I consider a very fine product. No mouthpiece will make
anyone a better player, of course, and no one will give you a job just for
playng a certain mouthpiece, either.

BTW, regarding Kaspars. I have played MANY poor Kaspar mouthpieces (even
owned one once). Make sure you know what you are doing before playing
$350+ for one. The good ones are terrific. My teacher (Marcellus) would
talk about the bad Kaspars he had in the "magic drawer" somewhere in the
office which contained 20+ Kaspars, most of which he claimed were not
good. Anyone (Diane Cawein) know what happened to all of them?

-David Hattner
Clarinetist-at-large, NYC

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