Klarinet Archive - Posting 000663.txt from 1998/05

From: ROBERT HOWE <arehow@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: early plastic clarinets
Date: Wed, 13 May 1998 09:59:11 -0400

ACTUALLY, the earliest "Plastic" clarinets known to exist are by CONN,
circa 1890. I have two in Bb, one in A (this one, 1907). All are
standard or modified Albert system, as is the Eb clarinet in plastic
from 1924 that I own.

Remember, the Albert system (in guises as Clinton, Oehler, etc) was
standard until after WWI. Look at the notes Stravinsky places in Three
Pieces (1918ish) regarding fingerings on the Boehm instrument....

The bias against Albert system puzzles me, nicely made Alberts play as
well--or better--than Boehms, there are trade offs inherent in each
design. The High C on an ALbert is MUCH nicer than on a Boehm, for
example. The fact that Boehms have gained ascendancy does NOT make the
other systems--Albert and Oehler--invalid, merely means that they have
become less popular amoung teachers at the elementary level and hence,
to the growing up world of clarinettists. SImilar situations exist with
the very wonderful French basson and Viennese oboes, which have
advantages over their Heckel and Parisian counterparts but which, sadly,
are also becoming rare.

As Boehm, Heckel, Loree models come to predominate, all orchestras come
to sound alike and something very lovely is lost from the world of
music. Let's hear it for the ALbert system!!

Robert Howe

>Jack, I, too, noticed the Albert system C clarinets in plastic. "Weird" was my
first thought. But I bet they were manufactured for the European market.
I
have been told that musicians in countries such as Greece prefer Albert
system
clarinets. I don't know if this sheds light on anything but seeing the
words
"plastic" and "Albert system" in the same sentence jarred me, too.<

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