Klarinet Archive - Posting 000037.txt from 1998/08

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Mozart and the right clarinet
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 10:50:24 -0400

On Wed, 29 Jul 1998 LoriLovato@-----.com wrote:

> Speaking of Bassethorns, does anyone know of a recording of the Bach
> Cello Suites on Basset? Seems that it would be wonderful to hear them
> in the original keys down to low C!

Please forgive a late response. I have been away from the computer for a
few days.

The above would allow the suites to be played without octave displacement
of any notes due to range restrictions, but it wouldn't be in the original
keys. If played on the basset horn in F, for example, a piece originally
written by Bach in the key of C would sound in F. On the basset clarinet
in A, the same piece would sound in A.

However, there are other factors to consider. I have heard the Bach Cello
Suites played very expertly on the bassoon, and even as a bassoonist, I
must say that I don't find this to be completely musically satisfactory.
The Suites seem to be to be too "cello-centric," if I can coin a term.
Aside from the problems of multiple stops, scordatura and other
string-related techniques, the total musical effect seems to me to relate
very much to the basic tonal characteristics of a string instrument. In
fact, even when played on the cello, if they are not played extremely
well, they can be excruciatingly uninteresting to hear. I know that many
cello teachers use them as the heart of their teaching materials, but I
dread hearing them on student recitals except in the case of the most
talented players.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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