Klarinet Archive - Posting 000141.txt from 1999/05

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] C Clarinets (was Orchestral Rep Question)
Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 17:45:45 -0400

David B. Niethamer wrote re my question on C clarinets:

<<<The color really is different (even in Beethoven - the biggest surprise
to me) and really matters. Enjoy it!>>>

Yes, indeed. I was one of those who discounted the assertion that composers
could hear the difference between differently keyed clarinets--and still
often play passages from the A to the Bb and vice versa if they lie better.
I had the opportunity to play the "Klarinet in Ut" part in Strauss' Happy
Workshop. No way could this unit play it on a Bb, so I bit the bullet and
finally acquired a C.

The tone is VASTLY different from a Bb--it's more like an Eb! I suppose
that it's possible that Beethoven and others of his age put parts in C as a
random exercise--but it's very clear to me that Strauss, writing this in
1944-45, definitely wanted the brighter sound. Probably ditto with Mahler
and the other late Romantic works using the smaller instrument. (So I read
Tony Pay's anecdote about using it being Schubert's decision with a grin.)

If y'all haven't tried playing one of these, you should if you get the
chance. It's a blast.

kjf

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