Klarinet Archive - Posting 000833.txt from 1996/02

From: Takashi Kawai <kawai@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: C clarinets & others
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 18:45:45 -0500

Conrad Jasias wrote:

> I couldn't resist saying "amen" to your message about C clarinets
>and (parenthetically Eb clarinets). I just finished the first of two
>performances of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, with its famous Scherzo movement
>written for C clarinet. The overall Symphony, which is scored for Bb, A,
>and C clarinets, leaves little doubt that Beethoven chose his clarinets
>for color.
>
> As you implied in your message, the list of C clarinet passages
>in the orchestral literature is impressive. Other notable additions to
>your list are Brahms' 4th Symphony, Bizet's Symphony in C, Mendelssohn's
>Symphony No. 5 (the Reformation), and numerous opera-orchestra clarinet
>parts.

However, as you know, Brahms requires low Eb note for the 3rd
movement of his 4th symphony. I don't know whether such C clarinets
are available or not. I believe most clarinet players play this
movement with Bb clarinet.

Takashi Kawai
University of Toronto