Klarinet Archive - Posting 000081.txt from 1997/10

From: ROBERT HOWE <arehow@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Lefthanded clarinet
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 1997 07:46:02 -0400

The discussion about a left handed clarinet made something stir in the
depths of my memory, so I went to my reference books.

The Cataloge of European Musical Instruments in the German National
Museum Nurnberg shows the earliest known clarinets (of which I am
aware), Denners from 1700 (incomplete and lost) and 1720. Neither have
keys for the pinkie fingers, so either could be played left handed.

Page 89 of volume 1, Historic Musical instrments in the Edinburgh
University Colleciton clearly shows three left handed clarinets. All
are piccolo models, being a clar in F by Key, London, 6 keys, 1815; in
Eb by Wood, London, 10 keys, 1830; in D, 14 keys, Wood & Ivy, London
1840.

Was there a prominent London piccolo clarinettist of the time of
Beethoven who had these instruments custom made over the years? The
correlation of the years, the location, the pitches is VERY suggestive.

Or did the editor overlook a picture that was printed backwards in the
book?

Both books are available from Tony Bingham in London.

Robert Howe