Klarinet Archive - Posting 000032.txt from 1996/02

From: Armand Ferland <Armand.Ferland@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: the bassethorn...
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 00:50:18 -0500

=46riends,
Further to the comments of David Bourque, may I add that some
basset horns are more so than others ;-).
By this I mean that some basset horns are really alto clarinets
pitched in F and capable of producing the fours basset tones.
Other basset horns, the Selmer for example, have a distinctive bore
which is narrower and more cylindrical, and allows the player to use his
(or her) soprano clarinet mouthpiece. To my taste, such an instrument is
more pleasant to play and listen to. The extreme top register is as free
and easy to blow as a soprano clarinet; the clarion possesses a beautiful,
slightly veiled tone which is (to me) characteristic of the bassethorn; and
the chalumeau is open and resonant, not unlike the bass clarinet.
I only wish that Selmer, as well as the other makers of French
system instruments, would improve and simplify the key mechanism for the
basset notes by using four separate keys operated by the right thumb, like
on German system instruments. I can think of no acoustical reason for not
imitating the German makers in this matter, since the four long keys are
only used for the four lowest notes of the instrument and have no effect on
the instrument's hexachord or any overblown note. Perhaps some of you on
the list (you David or Nick Shackleton, or Da Leeson, or David Niethammer,
or Ron Monsen, etc.) will know the reason why this is so, or simply confirm
that there is only a traditional reason for it (?).
By the way, I remember playing the basset horn in a Stravinsky
work... I THINK it is his Symphony for Winds, First Edition (pre 2nd World
War). The part is marked Alto Clarinet in F.
Finally, the Concerto by Alessandro Rolla is a fine piece for
basset horn. Other interesting basset horn parts are to be found in
Stravinsky's Elegy for J.F.K (Mezzo soprano, 2 B flat clarinets and 1
basset horn) and Robert Stark's Fantasiest@-----. 49 (2 B flat clarinets=
,
1 basset horn and 1 bass clarinet). And, of course, the Sonata by Franz
Danzi for basset horn (or violoncello) must not be forgotten.

Armand

>In addition to Dan's comments about bassethorn/alto clarinet, in my
>experience, although it has its difficulties, the bassethorn is a far
>superior instrument to the alto clarinet. It is voiced more evenenly, has
>more colours available in the sound and is not torture to the listener.
>
>It is shame that the alto is often left out as I feel that the voice is
>crucial in a wind band. OK all you band directors out there, replace your
>altos with bassets! I am certain that some of you already do this,
>especially in some of the colleges.
>
>I know of only one piece of serious repertoire for alto -- a piece by
>Stravinskii, I believe that it is Berceuse du Chat. Did Roger Sessions
>wrtite symphonically for alto clarinet?
>
>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
>David Bourque
>Bass Clarinet, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
>Internet: bassethn@-----.com
>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
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Armand Ferland
1196, rue Eugene-Hamel
Sainte-Foy (Quebec)
Canada G1W 4G4
Home: (418) 651-5017
e-mail: Armand.Ferland@-----.ca=20