Klarinet Archive - Posting 000685.txt from 1998/05

From: GTGallant <GTGallant@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: A new concept in orchestral clarinets
Date: Wed, 13 May 1998 11:00:27 -0400

In a message dated 98-05-13 08:45:06 EDT, you write:

<< I'm still astonished at the response that was made saying that
the instrument is simply an 18th century relic. I see that
as a narrowness of vision and a rejection of the concept that
a player should take steps to expand his instrument's capability
as far as acoustics will allow. To accept the view that there
is no need for a clarinet that descends to low C is equivalent
to saying that there is no need for change and improvement, there
is no need for any contemporary effect (such as multiphonics) and
is nothing less than the remarkable view of "things should stay
as they are."
>>

I didn't make the basset clarinet extinct, so an attack is not necessary. I
am willing to say you know tons more about Mozart than most of us, BUT...
small thinking and lack of vision alone cannot be used as an excuse for the
"unbirth" of the basset. Stadler toured Europe using his horns and I'm sure
most composers/musicians were aware of their extended range. I'm looking for
a definitive answer on WHY they died. Simply loving basset clarinets will not
cut it - that is only an opinion. There have been many instruments over the
years that have disappeared from everyday use (ophiclede, basset horn,
cornetto, crumhorns, racketts, etc.). Throughout the history of time, musical
instruments reflected the concerns and changes of the day. Most western
instruments were killed for one reason - lack of volume. Although the basset
clarinet doesn't fit in that category, was it possibly considered only as a
novelty? If only we could ask composers of the day why certain instuments were
neglected. Is Beethoven an idiot because he didn't use a basset clarinet for
something? Maybe, but I'm sure he had his reasons. It would take a lack of
vision to beleive Herr Beethoven - or any Classic/Romantic composer - was not
aware of the existance and capabilities of the basset clarinet.

A simple argument regarding the range of the clarinet, is that it already IS
extended well beyond any "normal sized" wind instrument. Most winds lowest
tone is only extended one or two notes below the coveted C scale. Anything
more than that (as far as our modern instruments are concerned) is bonus. The
clarinet could be extended to double low E, but it is impractical. I am not
trying to impede your love of the basset clarinet or any other outdated
instrument. I understand where you are coming from and your "lack of vision"
diatribe.

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