Klarinet Archive - Posting 000179.txt from 2001/09
From: GrabnerWG@-----.com Subj: [kl] Bass clarinet in "A" in Schuller's Duo Sonata Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 10:21:43 -0400
After some discussion on this list about duets for bass and soprano clarinet, I decided to un-earth my copy of the Gunther Schiller "Duo Sonata".
I have owned this for over 20 years, but I confess to have never made it thru the piece.
But, this morning, as I was reading through the bass part, my jaw dropped open!
AT the end of the second movement, it is clearly notated, for both Bb soprano AND bass clarinet to "change to A".
I turned the page, and the next movement starts off with both clarinets in the same "key". So, if the soprano clarinet player switches to his A clarinet, the bass player must also, or transpose.
Now, I am no stranger to A transposition on the bass. I am however, more used to it in bass clef than in treble, so it took me a moment to orient myself.
Now, here's the question. Why in 1976, would Gunther Schuller write a part for "A" bass clarinet? It makes no sense. As far as I know, bass clarinets in A are not made anymore, and those in existence are very rare.
Now, according to Dan Leeson, I CANNOT perform this piece, since the composer clearly had the unique timbre of the "A" bass in mind, and I do not own one or know where to borrow one. (I'm being a bit humerous here, but lets consider the argument. In reality, I would transpose it and not give it a moment's thought, but this list is often NOT about reality).
Have any of you out there performed this piece? What did YOU do?
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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