Klarinet Archive - Posting 000260.txt from 2001/09

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass clarinet in "A" in Schuller's Duo Sonata
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2001 10:38:32 -0400

Let's remember, too, that Schuller was (is?) a *horn player*.

Roger S.

In message <107.541ff8a.28ca2780@-----.org writes:
> Floyd says:
> << Chuck West and I made the first recording of this piece in 1983 for Crystal Records(LP-S355).Chuck transposed the bass part for Bb bass clarinet,of course.>>
>
> Of course.
>
> << I saw Schuller before we did the recording(he was a guest at one the University of New Mexico's Composers Weeks)and I asked him about it,but his reply was a bit vague and I didn't want to push too much about it.It
> was composed much earlier than 1976,1949 as I remember.>>
>
> I just took the date from the copyright date on the edition.
>
> My guess - Schuller just notated the part "switch to A" and left it to the bass player to determine. I'm sure he knew that most pro bass players are adept at A transposition, and I'm sure that he knew that some A bass clarinets were still available.
>
> So much for the argument that "all" composers have the "unique" sound of a given clarinet in their heads, and that the specified clarinet must be used despite all other considerations.
>
> Dan Leeson, your turn.
>
> * chuckle *
>
> Walter Grabner
>
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>

--
Left hand, off land, I hear the lark ascend,
His rash-fresh re-winded new-skeined score
In crisps of curl off wild winch, whirl, and pour
And pelt music, till none's to spill nor spend

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