Klarinet Archive - Posting 000896.txt from 2001/09

From: "CLARK FOBES " <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Contra Bass Clarinet and Orchestra
Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 21:22:57 -0400

Dear Friends,

I am playing BBb Contra Bass Clarinet with the San Francisco Symphony
this week.
The piece is "Choral" by Oliver Knussen. It is not particularly difficult,
but the contra part does require some sensitive playing in some soft solo
passages. Mildly rewarding as contra parts go. Someone in the section made a
crack about my "artistic contra playing" and I responded that "I am writing
the book". It won't be a very long book.

Joking aside, I have begun to wonder how many works there are out there
for Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra or large ensemble (other
than symphonic band) that require either BBb contra or EEb contra. I am also
interested in concertos for the instrument. The only one that I know of is
the Donald Martino Triple Concerto.

Here is the list that I have compiled from my own performance
experience.

Knussen "Choral" - BBb contra - large ensemble
Schoenberg "Five Pieces for Orchestra" (Contra Bass in A!) dbls on
clarinet
Elliot Carter "Penthode" - fantastic! BBb contra dbls on bass
clarinet - large ensemble
Henze "Das Verratene Meer" -opera. BBb contra. dbls on bass clarinet
Corigliano "Symphony No. 1" - BBb contra dbls on Eb clarinet
Piston "Symphony No. 3". EEb contra. * there is a solo in the 2nd
movement that requires a bass clarinet to have a low Asharp
below low C. This is generally played on the EEb contra.

Any additions will be greatly appreciated!

Clark

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