Klarinet Archive - Posting 000628.txt from 1996/03

From: Randolf Keller <rkeller@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: wurlitzer clarinets
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 08:43:39 -0500

Hello there in Indonesia, just returned from my last holiday trip to Fiji,
reminding me of some time I spent on Java and Bali.

>Out of curiousity, could anybody inform me more about this particular brand?

I have collected a couple of mails related to this issue and I put them
together in a loose form, you can browse through and copy whatever you find
interesting. The Wurlitzer indeed is one of the most famous brands in
Germany, mainly used by professionals, obsessed and/or rich guys. They are
all handmade and it takes months (or even years nowadays) at the moment to
have them make one for you.

Randolf

Start of quotes--------------------------------------------------------
>I just read your posting concerning Scott and his set of Wurlitzer Boehms.
>As far as I know he has sold them--I had them for a few years--he left them
>here after a quintet recital. The instruments went back to 1972--I made
>three visits to Wurlitzer in Neustadt/Aisch (very interesting times).
>I would suggest that you call Scott--he may still have them. When he got
>the set he was in the Army band and I was a student overseas.
>
>Mouthpieces--they must be played with mouthpieces for a Wurlitzer--either
>from Wurlitzer (Herbert died several years ago) or from Hans Zinner--but
>specify Wrlitzerbahn. Hope that helps.
>Ron Monsen UK School of Music Lex,KY

I have read with interest the discussions about Wurlitzer and other
German-made or German "style" clarinets. As I understand it, Wurlitzer
makes a "modified Boehm Clarinet" in addition to its normal instrument.
Some of you may remember that Michelle Zukovsky, Los Angeles, switched
to the German system Wurlitzers ca. 1970's. I have been told that she
has returned to Boehm system. Since she has spent considerable time on
both systems, I would view her as having enough experience to evaluate
both sides. Maybe she would share her views with all of us. Further, I
was told about a year ago that the Chicago Symphony switched to German
clarinets. I immediately called Larry Combs and his statement was that
the CSO was "experimenting" with German clarinets on German music. I
have not heard of any further developments on this issue. Interestly,
many years ago, George Weber, then bass clarinetist with CSO, used a
Wurlitzer bass clarinet (but he used Boehm soprano clarinets).

Robert Chesebro
Furman Univ.
chesebro_bob/furman@-----.edu

In Germany, Wurlitzer seems to be for clarinets what Steinway is for
pianos. There may be reasonable alternatives, but if you are professional
about it, there is only one choice.

Anyway, this is the impression that I got from my limited experience as
an amateur. I would be more than happy to broaden my horizon with some
insider gossip about other excellent German clarinets!

Bernd

PS:
I play the "German" system, and at least as far as fingering
is concerned, I sometimes wished my first teacher had started me off on
Boehm (from what I know about Boehm). I have a Bb by Uebel and an A by
Wurlitzer, a student model for which I only had to wait for half a year. The
feel and the mechanics of the Wurlitzer is just wonderful.

On the other hand, as far as music making is concerned, I personally never
really felt that it's the instrument or fingering system, but the music
that is the overall and by far most important factor, that is I tend to
forget whether it's the Uebel or Wurlitzer once I get into it (I use the
same mouthpiece).
Randolf Keller Suita-shi
13-19 Nagano-Higashi
Kasa MK 303
Osaka 564
Tel./Fax: +81 / 6 / 876 - 1319