Klarinet Archive - Posting 000307.txt from 2000/06

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: SV: [kl] Alf Horberg's comments
Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2000 13:55:13 -0400

Wel Tom, Alf has reported that in a conversation with Erich Hoprich, there arose
the possibility that the basset clarinet range was not down to low C but could
conceivable have descended a half tone lower, to low B-natural. Further, he
pointed out two places in the Mozart concerto (but which I have not checked out
because I'm not at home) in which the presence of a low B-natural would make
musical sense and possibly lead to the conclusion that Mozart wanted that note
played on those two occasions.

Now all of this is highly speculative, very uncertain, and quite unverifiable,
but it derives from a physical fact known only in the last few years about
Stadler's basset clarinet. In fact, until only a few years ago no picture or
description of his instrument existed. Then Pamela Poulin found such a picture
on a program printed in Lithuania when Stadler did K. 622 there ca. 1800. And
based on that picture, Hoprich built a basset clarinet with a vent hole in it
just like the picture from 1800 showed. Well the instrument plays down to low C
as you would expect, but the vent hole, when closed by the foot (that's the only
way you can reach it) creates a perfect B-natural on Eric's basset clarinet and
presumably on Stadler's..

That is what left me breathless and still in partial shock. That is potentially
very important and exciting NEW NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!

Dan (who gets excited about these things)

Tom Wood wrote:

> Dan Leeson wrote:
> >
> >. A low b-natural!! It boggles the
> > imagination.
>
> Boy!, I wish I could appreciate this! Or hear this. Or feel this,
> etc.........
>
> Tom W
>
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