Klarinet Archive - Posting 000185.txt from 2001/09

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass clarinet in "A" in Schuller's Duo Sonata
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 22:28:37 -0400

Yes. And the police are watching every move you make when you play that
work. One way to fool them is to have two bass clarinet, both in
B-flat, and then when the change comes, you simply pick up the other
bass clarinet in B-flat and transpose the part. The police will think
you have picked up a b.c. in A. It's simple and effective.

The truth is that I owned a b.c. in A and until about 10 years ago,
Selmer was still making them, though not with descent to low C. Then
poor sales resulted in their removal from Selmer's catalog. I suspect
that any of the big German makers will make one for you in a French
system.

GrabnerWG@-----.com wrote:
>
> 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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** Dan Leeson **
** leeson0@-----.net **
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