Klarinet Archive - Posting 000906.txt from 2001/09

From: "Alec Hill" <Alec.Hill@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Contra Bass Clarinet and Orchestra
Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 09:11:12 -0400

> Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 22:11:59 -0400 (EDT)
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> From: ewoj@-----.net
> Subject: Re: [kl] Contra Bass Clarinet and Orchestra
> Message-ID: <1001815919.3bb67f6f97256@-----.net>
>
> Quoting CLARK FOBES <reedman@-----.com>:
>
> > 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.
> >
>
> I think that there is a contra part in a large Messaien work that the
Boston
> Symphony played in Carnegie a few years ago, but can't recall the title of
> the work off the top of my head.
>
> Ed
>
The Messiaen work would be "Eclairs sur l'au-dela..." ("Illuminations of the
Beyond...") which requires 10 clarinet players (2Eb, 6Bb, bass & Bb contra).
The 8th movement, "Les Etoiles et la Gloire", starts with the principal
theme of the movement played by a contra, supported by double basses and
tam-tam.

Messiaen also uses the Bb contra in his opera "Saint Francois d'Assise".

Alec Hill

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