Klarinet Archive - Posting 001296.txt from 1998/03

From: Christina Crispin <crispin2382@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: Daphnis et Chloe
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 17:40:09 -0500

I have heard of the Eb part to Daphnis being played on D clarinet in
many professional orchestras. In fact, I have heard of an instance where
a major orchestral Eb audition was supposedly decided on the basis of
smooth technique on this excerpt, which the winner was playing on the D
clarinet!!!! (Many of you have no doubt heard this story.) As far as
the composer's intentions regarding timbre and tone, I cannot say that I
know enough to comment on those issues, but I do know that this
transposition has been done on numerous occasions.

A somewhat unrelated question: Why was Mendelssohn's 4th symphony
(Italian) transposed from the original notation on A clarinet into Bb?
The keys signatures are much easier on the original part, but perhaps
playing it on Bb makes the articulation easier? Thanks for your input,

-Christina Crispin
>
> Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 02:21:19 -0500 (EST)
> From: ryan Lowe <Ral@-----.net>
> Subject: Daphnis et chloe
>
> It was brought to my attention that the E-flat clarinet part in Daphnis et Chloe is in B Major or something. A friend of mine transposed this to a D clarinet to make it easier for them. When I asked why (making sure to mention the specific timbre, color, and tone quality that each clarinet posesses:) ) they replied that it was common practice. Is this so? I am interested because it is going to be the next piece I learn for eefer.
>
> Thanks,
> Ryan Lowe
>
> - -----------
> Ryan A Lowe
>