Klarinet Archive - Posting 000637.txt from 1998/05

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] C Clarinets
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 18:11:36 -0400

Sherry Katz wrote:

> I've never seen a C Clarinet - what is the size compared to a Bb? Several
> people have mentioned the Normandy - does anyone know what one would cost?
> Do they carry them at the Woodwind and the Brasswind?
>
> What is the C Clarinet used for? Does anyone out there have one?

Hi Sherry,

A C clarinet tends to be about 23"-24" in length (including mouthpiece)
compared to 26"-26 1/2" for a Bb. The Woodwind & Brasswind carries a Noblet
(not Normandy) model 45 C clarinet. It currently lists in their Spring/Summer
catalog for $1,369. Some of Beethoven's music and other composers' music from
the classical and early romantic periods call for a C clarinet. In these
cases, the C instrument was probably specified most of the time because it put
the clarinetist in a convenient key. Richard Strauss also calls for the C
clarinet in a number of his works. In fact, I seem to recall a previous
thread on this list where one poster pointed out that licensing agreements to
perform his music specifically forbade the substitution of a clarinet in a
different pitch! In his case, the reason for requiring the instrument may
have been its specific timbre rather than convenience of key (though I've
also heard that Strauss had a friend who owned the only C in town and, by
requiring the instrument, Strauss guaranteed him work. ;^) ). A few solo
pieces have also been written for the instrument but I know of no important
ones.

C clarinets aren't real common, even among very good orchestral players. In
the St. Louis Symphony, I believe that only Bob Coleman (the associate
principle, currently on medical leave) owns one. The other clarinetists
transpose C parts on the Bb (and maybe occasionally the A) as needed. I
happen to have a C. It's an old (circa 1900-1910 most likely) wooden
Lafayette, Albert system instrument that I bought in pretty bad shape and
reconditioned. I've never used it in public. (As Murphy's Law would have it,
however, while I was fixing it up, I had two performances in a row where I had
to transpose C parts. Both parts were probably simple enough that I could
have used the C if it had been playable.) I bought it for four reasons: (1)
I wanted an Albert system instrument to fiddle around with (still working on
that), (2) I wanted a C clarinet, (3) I wanted an instrument to fix up, and
(4) it was pretty cheap. I like its sound (but I'm biased). I've had alot of
fun with it. I use regular soprano clarinet mouthpieces on it. The wooden
mouthpiece that came with it (stuck in the barrel) is actually a good quarter
inch LONGER than any of my other mouthpieces. I have yet to resore it,
however.

BTW, one of the real enigmas to me on the eBay auction has been the presence
of several plastic Albert system C clarinets of apparently recent
manufacture. Their construction appears to have been incredibly cheap with
pot metal keys, rubber (or possibly leather) pads, wrapped string (instead of
cork) at the joints. Apparently they play (though one bidder suggested they
were for display purposes). Several showed up all at once from different
parts of the country, western New York, Florida, Texas and California. My
best guess is they are either indeed display models or are kinder clarinets
for those countries where the Oehler system is popular. Most of them wound up
selling for around $50, though the price has tended to go down over time. A
real mystery. Anybody know what these are?

Best regards,
Jack Kissinger
St. Louis

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