Klarinet Archive - Posting 001263.txt from 1999/05

From: Gregory Smith <Gregory_Smith_Clarinet@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re:Marcellus Mouthpiece
Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 15:24:33 -0400

Dear Mark Weinstein,

I hope this is of some help. It was posted a couple of weeks ago =
to
the list.

Best to you,

Gregory Smith

-------------Forwarded Message-----------------

From: Gregory Smith, 103356,1577
=

Date: 5/15/99 9:13 PM

RE: Re:Marcellus Mouthpiece

The Robert Marcellus mouthpiece was originally available from the Woodwin=
d
Company and available in two facings designated and stamped M08 and M13 a=
s
a reflection of their respective tip openings (1.08mm and 1.13mm). The "M=
"
stamped on the side, along with the facing number at the bottom right , w=
as
for Marcellus. The front of the mouthpiece was stamped Robert Marcellus. =

It was introduced around 1979 and was developed by Marcellus and Woodwind=

chief technican Elmer Aiello. The objective was to copy as closely as
possible the Frank Kaspar (Cicero) mouthpiece that Marcellus played at th=
e
end of his career.

I was studying with Marcellus at that time and observed the entire
development personally as the result of many trips to Kenosha, Wisconsin
with him. The creative process was facinating to say the least and the
chance to observe the genius of both of those gentlemen at work proved to=

be invaluable at least in my understanding of mouthpieces. =

The result was that for the period of 1979 - 1983, the Marcellus
mouthpiece was one of the most sought after machine made mouthpieces,
especially in combination with the (now defunct) Morre reed. Many fine on=
es
were made under their guidance during this period (in both prototype and
production line form) and the mouthpieces were, at least in my opinion,
certainly the most Kaspar - like of all that were then available. I had
experience playing them in the San Francisco Symphony and then for a shor=
t
period in Chicago. They were remarkable mouthpieces!

Sadly, Elmer Aiello suffered a debilitating stroke shortly after the peri=
od
of 1979 - 1983 and their collaborative effort was lost.

I think that the mouthpiece is still available in an a modern incarnation=

through the Woodwind Co. at LeBlanc. I have not tried them for quite a fe=
w
years.

******************************************************
Gregory Smith =

Gregory_Smith_Clarinet@-----.com

******************************************************

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