Klarinet Archive - Posting 000421.txt from 1997/01

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Fred Duerr's comments about the Albert System
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 09:22:55 -0500

Fred suggests that the changeover from the Albert system clarinet is
principally because it "was impossible to play in certain keys."

This is questionable history. As a kid I heard Simeon Bellison (who
either played the Albert system or one very close to it) and there was
nothing that he could not manage. Nothing! The statement that
Fred made could well be attributed to the Boehm system. There are
keys that are very difficult to play on that system because of the
absence of all notes in both left and right hand fingerings.

The view that clarinets of earlier epochs inhibited players because
they were mechanically primitive is a vast exaggeration and not
very different from every generation's belief that they discovered
sex. An examination of what players of the 18th century had to
be able to execute (the Mozart concerto, for example) shows that
the best of those players could compete effectivelly in today's
environment.

Does one really believe that the clarinet players of today are
substantially more adept than those of Brahms' era? Muhlfeld
could give any living clarinet player a serious run for his/her
money and could probably hold first chair in any major world-
class orchestra. And I believe he played an Albert system.

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