Klarinet Archive - Posting 001122.txt from 1998/07

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Mozart and the right clarinet
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 01:24:18 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.60
> Subj: Re: [kl] Mozart and the right clarinet

Chris, far be it from me to argue with an opinion held, but this is
not in that realm. You are giving your opinion on a matter having
to do with technical fact and on much of it you are zigging when
you should be zagging.

How do you know why they did the things that you allege the did and
for the reasons that you suggest? And for you to say that
"we'll never really know" is an assertion that research in this
arena serves no useful purpose. I suggest that we really do know
and if you read the various literature on the subject, so would you.

While I cannot say the following with absolute certainty, the evidence
points in exactly the opposite direction from your statement that "the
only reason they changed key was so the player would have an easier
part." The matter is far more complicated then that.

I don't want to deny you your right of free expression, but one should
not shoot from the hip with guesses and personal opinion when speaking
of matters of technical truth. It is OK to say that you like this
or that, but this is not in the subjective realm. It is a factual
issue.

With friendly respect,

Dan Leeson

> Perhaps some times a certain clarinet was picked because of certain sound
> characteristics (like using Eb as opposed to Bb). But maybe for a lot of
> composers, and perhaps for Mozart too (we'll never really know), they used
> mainly the A and Bb (and sometimes C) clarinet for the same sound they had in
> mind. The only reason they changed key was so the player would have an easier
> part, because back in the early days of clarinet, the keywork was simple, so
> doing some accidentals in runs was quite a chore, especially with no alternate
> fingerings. For example, if a piece was in D major, and Bb played E major,
> it's easier for the A to play in F major. The sound qualities are generally
> the same.
> Now it's in the late Romantic and Contemporary eras when the clarinet was
> improved, so more difficult keys weren't a big deal, and the instrument was
> chosen for it's sound. (Like using Eb and Bb and perhaps C for different
> sounds.) But even my teacher feels that even today, A and Bb are basically
> the same. Sure, there are tonal differences, but they are so slight that you
> have to be an expert to really notice a difference, and it's not a difference
> that would make you cringe. Sometimes playing an A clarinet makes for a
> simpler key to play in, less accidentals to worry about, and less alternate
> fingerings to rely on. And less headaches!
> Now, I'll stress that what I have mentioned is the opinion I have formed based
> on the opinions of my teacher. Does anyone else feel the same way I do?
> Chris Hoffman
>
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>
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Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
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