Klarinet Archive - Posting 000160.txt from 1996/05

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Jacqueline Eastwood's comments on "clarinet quintets"
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 12:13:55 -0400

Jacqueline is, of course, quite correct that the word "clarinet quintet"
has traditionally come to mean a quintet with clarinet and string quartet.
However, if I read her remarks correctly, she is unaware of one of the
great treasures of music which is also a REAL clarinet quintet; i.e.,
5 clarinet players.

There is a Masonic work of Mozart for 5 clarinets (2 clarinets and 3 basset
horns) that is so magnificent a work of music, that I tremble simply by
thinking about the performances of it I have done. I think it is K. 440
or maybe K. 440d. I forget.

Of course, one could argue that a work for 2 clarinets and 3 bassets is not
a clarinet quintet) and then there would be some discussion about the
basset horn and its kinship with the clarinet. But putting that issue
aside, it is hard for me, at least, not to think of the work as a
clarinet quintet, also.

But, where the rubber meets the road, Jacqueline is much more correct than
I in this descriptive title business.

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Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
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