Klarinet Archive - Posting 000622.txt from 1996/04

From: mlfl%vax.ox.ac.uk@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: Difficult bit in Mozart concerto
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 08:38:56 -0400

Tis is one of the bits which is supposed to demonstrate that Mozart originally
wrote the concerto for basset clarinet - there is a plausible reconstruction of
the passage in the Hacker edition, and it has a much nicer shape. Personally, I
don't know wheher it's easier to play, as different problems presumably arise
on the basset clarinet to do with how easily the bottom notes speak in rapid
passages. Bernard Walton certainly played it in the traditional form on his
recording - I don't recall who else may have done so.
Roger Shilcock
Walton apparently used a long, close mouthpiece lay and *very* hard reeds. No
doubt these help.