Klarinet Archive - Posting 001075.txt from 1999/11

From: "Gene Nibbelin" <gnibbelin@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Chedeville, Kaspar, A.Goldbeck
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 22:12:19 -0500

To any klarinet senior and/or knowledgeable clarinet mouthpiece aficionados:

Alvin Swiney's recent posting mentioning Mr. Goldbeck confirmed something
that I had wondered about since learning on klarinet about Kaspar, his
mouthpieces and his Chicago "connection". And, it reminded me that I had
been wanting to seek some information from any knowledgeable listers
concerning where A.(Anton ?) Goldbeck may have been involved in the history
of the now famous Kaspars.

My teacher in Peoria, IL was George Landon, who was a friend of Mr. and Mrs.
Goldbeck. In the late 1930's and early '40's, George studied "the art of
the mouthpiece" with Mr. Goldbeck. He journeyed to Chicago almost every
weekend for many months and, as I recall, spent several weeks full time
studying with Goldbeck.

Later, when Mr. Goldbeck wanted to sell his business and retire, I know that
George L. seriously considered buying it and moving to Chicago. I remember
this vividly as I faced the loss of my teacher, and there was no way that we
could afford my going to Chicago for lessons. However, for whatever reason,
George decided to stay in Peoria and continue teaching.

Did Mr. Kaspar buy out Mr. Goldbeck? That is the question that has been
bugging me. Does anyone know the answer?

Any information concerning any Goldbeck/Kaspar connection will help me
evaluate my now 55 to 60 year old A. Goldbeck mouthpiece. It is the
mouthpiece that I used for many years as a student, but thought had been
lost during my 46 year hiatus from playing. It turned up about a year ago
in a box of music miscellany, to my great joy. Could it be considered an
early Kaspar-type mouthpiece?

I've tried my teacher's Kaspar on my Leblancs and found it to be similar to
my Goldbeck. It sounds great on his Buffets, but is a trifle bright and a
little difficult for me to control on my horns. My Goldbeck is a bit more
subdued and seems better suited to the brighter tone of my Leblancs. The
tips of both mouthpieces are similar - about 1.02mm. (feeler gauge
guesstimate) We both use Vandoren V12 31/2's. My teacher, Scott Ellington,
uses a Bonade Inverted Ligature and I use a Rovner Eddie Daniels.

At 71 years of age, I will never have his technique, but I am striving to
come as close as I can to his tone.

Scott has examined my Goldbeck and advised me that given the mouthpiece's
origin and age, that it is probably better for me than most any other
mouthpiece out there that I might locate. As has been mentioned on the
list, the material used in older mouthpieces is superior to what our
ever-interfering government has mandated be used today.

Thank you, for any information that you experts out there may have to help
me to more clearly establish my Goldbeck's lineage and place in the
development of the "Chicago" mouthpieces.

Gene Nibbelin

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