Klarinet Archive - Posting 000911.txt from 2001/09

From: DGross1226@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: Contra Bass Clarinet and Orchestra
Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 16:42:57 -0400

In an earlier message CLARK FOBES asked:

<<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.>>

Clark,

Ask your friend Gary Bovyer in Los Angeles about the Salonen work that the LA
Phil premiered several years ago. As I recall, he either loaned David Howard
his contrabass, or played the part himself. There are some truly impressive
contrabass clarinet lines. I just can't remember the title off the top of my
head.

Also, you might want to search the KLARINET archives and/or post your
question to the contrabass list. FYI, here's a 1996 post from Roger Shilcock
(notice the vintage KLARINET address!) which I saved for some unknown reason
(playing contrabass does effect one's brain). There was quite a discussion
about the orchestral contrabass clarinet at that time.

Don Gross
La Canada, California
============================================================
<<Subj: Contrabass
Date: 96-03-28 04:00:17 EST
From: roger.shilcock%modern-languages-library.oxford.ac.uk@-----.BITNET
(Roger Shilcock)
Reply-to: KLARINET@-----.BITNET (Klarinet - Clarinettist's Network)

I don't remember whether I've actually sent this message before - it is
alleged that Dvorak used the B flat contrabass in a passage in his opera "The
Devil and Kate." In those days it was generally known over here as the
*pedal* clarinet. (No feet jokes - it's not 1 April *yet* ...).

Roger Shilcock>>

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