Klarinet Archive - Posting 001027.txt from 1999/03

From: Mitch Bassman <mbassman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] orchestra opening
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 16:02:20 -0500

At 12:28 AM 3/18/1999 EST, Jcadie@-----.com wrote:
>Isn't it very unusual to ask for saxophone from a
>clarinetist, particularly in a major orchestra?

Not unusual for the auxiliary clarinet specialists.

The National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, DC) has four permanent
clarinetists: principal, 2nd/asst.principal, E-flat, and bass. I have seen
(and heard) both the E-flat and bass players perform (expertly) in the NSO
on saxophone (and, of course, on their other clarinets). The NSO also has a
regular saxophonist (not listed as a permanent member of the orchestra) who
typically comes in to play first alto when a fifth player is needed; in
that case the two members of the clarinet section may cover the 2nd alto
(E-flat clarinetist) and tenor (bass clarinetist) parts. I attended one
concert a couple of years ago in which the four clarinetists were so busy
doubling on multiple clarinets that three or four other musicians were
brought in to play saxes. (I can't recall what piece that was.) I've never
observed the principal or assistant principal playing anything other than
B-flat and A soprano clarinets, however. (If they've even used C clarinets,
I've not been there to hear it.)

Someone who *can* play the saxophone will win that Montreal job.

Mitch Bassman

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