Klarinet Archive - Posting 000089.txt from 1996/03

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: more C clarinets
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 14:27:05 -0500

I do believe that the C clarinet has a tone color of it's own. I've done
some playing on different C's (an old Selmer and a new Buffet Prestige),
performed in the two Strauss wind symphonies on C clarinet, and done alot
of Eb playing. The upper register does have an Eb color (to my ears at
least) and the lower one is closer to a Bb color.
Since R. Strauss knew how to write for the Eb or D clarinet (Till,
Also Sprach, etc) why would he use the C? Some sections of the Strauss
wind symphonies go into extreme (high C) ranges that are easier (and
tempting) to play on Eb. For that matter, why would a composer specify D
clarinet rather than Eb. There is a difference in tone between a D and Eb
(as with the Bb and A clarinets). The Eb clarinet doesn't have the
darkness (there's that "D" word again) the D clarinet does.
This would discussion might be only valid for clarinetists or
clarinetists ears (like dogs) can only hear these things. Who can honestly
tell the difference between the Eb and the C clarinet solos in the Berlioz
Sym Fantastic mvt V? If both are expertly played I think its even hard for
clarinetist to tell.

Flame on
that "other" Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
dap@-----.us

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