Klarinet Archive - Posting 000513.txt from 1997/12

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Slander, etc.
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 19:41:47 -0500

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.33
> Subj: Re: Slander, etc.

> Leslie,
> I'm curious about your background? Are you a music student,
> professional musician, dedicated amateur? You have a right to your opinion
> - I don't aggree with it but it's your opinion. Have you led the life of a
> professional musician? Do you know what their weekly schedule is like? Do
> you know the amount of practice involved to stay in shape and to be
> prepared for rehearsals? It is also nice to have some type of life outside
> the orchestra - relaxation, family & friends. Also don't forget about
> teaching? Unless you've lived that life I don't think your in a position
> to say "As to being "busy" - It is just that, an excuse"
> By the way is there a basset clarinet in Bb made today? Do we know
> for sure that Ricardo's part specified basset clarinet in Bb or just
> clarinet in Bb? Do you research every piece of music that is put on your
> stand to make sure that you're playing it on the correct instrument?
>
> Dan

I am not going to answer all of the details of this note because Dan
Paprocki is asking these questions of Leslie, not me. But one point
I will mention. Basset clarinets in B-flat are available from three
German makers (who will make them in the French system if requested)
but none of the French makers. Every large opera house in Europe
including Munich, Frankfurt, Salzburg, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm,
Helsinki, London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen all have basset clarinets
in both B-flat and A available when the works arise that require
them, including both Titus and Cosi Fan Tutte. I have heard the
Titus aria done just last summer by the Salzburg Mozarteum orchestra
and the clarinetist at that performance played on a basset clarinet
in B-flat. The great Swiss clarinetist Stalder has such an instrument
for personal use.

I tried to buy a basset clarinet in B-flat from Selmer, Buffet,
and LeBlanc around 1991 and none of the three would make them
for me suggesting, instead, that there was no repertoire for the
instrument. It was my intention to make basset clarinets my
regular orchestral instruments but I was unable to convince them
that there was a marketplace for such a product.

As far as the other points in Dan's note (I always find it
slightly uncomfortable to refer to someone as "Dan" because
I think I am talking about myself), I am working up a more
universal response to the many excellent points that have been
made on this item. Please be patient.

>
>
> ******************************************************************************
>
> Daniel A. Paprocki
>
> Instructor of Clarinet
> Kent State University - Stark Campus
> Malone College
>
> dap@-----.net
>
> ******************************************************************************
>
>
>
=======================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
=======================================