Klarinet Archive - Posting 000771.txt from 1998/05

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: A new concept in orchestral clarinets
Date: Thu, 14 May 1998 09:20:26 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.63
> Subj: Re: [kl] Re: A new concept in orchestral clarinets

> It seems likely that the basset clarinet didn't catch on because it wasn't
> a "basset clarinet". This is a modern concept. There was no "basset
> clarinet" around the turn of the 18th/19th centuries; there were only
> *Stadler's special instruments*. Hence, writing for such an instrument
> meant writing for Stadler, which, evidently, not many composers wanted to
> do. If other *clarinettists* had liked the "basset" idea...
> Roger Shilcock

Exactly what I once thought, too. I believed that the term was
a modern invention (in fact, it was credited to the Czech clarinetist
Juri Kratochvil for 10 years), but more recent research has shown
that the term "bassetklarinet" was used in Mozart's lifetime. I
have not seen the source material but a technical paper I read
suggested this and I'll accept it at face value. But Stadler was
such an overwhelming force in Vienna in 1780-1800, and Vienna was
such an overwhelming force in European music at that same time, that
the fact that only one player had the instruments was not as much
of an inhibition as one might suggest.

The instant that Stadler thought up the idea and had it built, the
history of the clarinet changed, not only because of his idea but
because of the fact that one of the world's most important composers
wrote for it. To suggest that if such an instrument were available
today and composers would NOT write for it argues the flow of history.

Therefore, to presume that this instrument must be relegated to
18th century music only and that it has no place in contemporary
music is a presumption that has no substance.

>
>
> On Wed, 13 May 1998, GTGallant wrote:
>
> > Date: Wed, 13 May 1998 11:00:27 EDT
> > From: GTGallant <GTGallant@-----.com>
> > Reply-To: klarinet@-----.org
> > To: klarinet@-----.org
> > Subject: Re: [kl] Re: A new concept in orchestral clarinets
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > For additional commands, e-mail: klarinet-help@-----.org
> > For other problems, e-mail: klarinet-owner@-----.org
> >
> >
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> For additional commands, e-mail: klarinet-help@-----.org
> For other problems, e-mail: klarinet-owner@-----.org
>
=======================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
=======================================

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