Klarinet Archive - Posting 000804.txt from 1998/05

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: A new concept in orchestral clarinets
Date: Thu, 14 May 1998 16:15:06 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.93
> Subj: Re: [kl] Re: A new concept in orchestral clarinets

> At 06:37 AM 5/14/98 EDT, Dan Leeson wrote:
> > [Regarding the basset clarinet,] To suggest that if such an instrument
> were available
> >today and composers would NOT write for it argues the flow of history.
>
> An interesting comment! It immediately made me think: But such an
> instrument *is* available today! As everyone on this mailing list knows,
> the basset clarinet (at least in A) is available from major clarinet
> makers. Several contemporary artists own them and have recorded Mozart's
> concerto using them.
>
> That raises the question: Has any contemporary composer taken advantage of
> the extended range for the A clarinet in any new work?

Yes. There is at least one work and I reviewed it for Clarinet about
15 years ago. It is a work for Electric Basset Clarinet and Piano,
but I do not remember who wrote it or who published it.

But unless the instrument is used full time in an orchestra, you won't
see much in terms of orchestral literature that calls for it. Composers
are not motivated to write for an orchestra that does not have one.

>
> I think Dan has a good point. Perhaps the next ICA composition contest
> ought to encourage the use of the extended range instrument. Comments?
>
> Mitch Bassman
> Burke, Virginia, USA
>
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=======================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
=======================================

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