Klarinet Archive - Posting 000391.txt from 1996/04

From: Greg Baker <BAKERG01@-----.EDU>
Subj: Schumann Fantasy Pieces--A or B-flat?
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 16:39:06 -0400

Hi, Guys!

Just a quick question. The clarinet part for Schumann's Fantasy Pieces, op. 73
out of Eric Simon's "Masterworks" collection includes two clarinet parts, one
for b-flat clarinet, and the other for A clarinet. I had been told at one time
or another that it was standard to play them on the A clarinet. However, a
number of recordings that I have of them are obviously played on b-flat.
Furthermore, when I worked on them last summer, I found that the timbre of the
notes in the b-flat part fit the contour of the line a lot better than the
notes in the A clarinet part.

Does anyone have any preferences, or any documented material that says for sure
one way or another? Please post to the group. Thanks!

Greg Baker, St. Cloud, MN