Klarinet Archive - Posting 000311.txt from 2001/10

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: And now for some new news/basset horn heaven
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 01:16:55 -0400

Well, the alto clarinets will not work in terms of the low notes. You
cannot get down to the basset horn equivalent of a low C, D, or E-flat
on an alto clarinet. So having them does not provide you with the
needed range. As for the sound character, if the instruments play in
tune and if your players are competent, I can't see why you should not
use them, but, to be frank, you could just as well use clarinets since
the needed low notes are not available.

Alternatively you could invite me to Florida and I'd play basset horn
for you, but not in November of this year unfortunately.

So if you are concerned about the low notes needed, then alto clarinets
are not going to help you. If you are concerned about the character of
the sound, that is very personal and you must chose whichever you
prefer. I once heard the NY Phil. do it with bass clarinets which
astonished me.

More important to me is which edition you are using????? And if the
answer is Kalmus you are in deep doody!!

Dan

EClarinet@-----.com wrote:
>
> Dan said:
>
> <<<<Within two weeks I will receive what I have every expectation of
> receiving my treasure. And in explanation, let me state that the
> treasure is a brand new, custom designed, one-off, cocobolo wood basset
> horn with gold plated keys, and a wooden bell. It is a narrow bore,
> soprano mouthpiece instrument made at my request by Steve Fox of
> Canada. >>>> I intend to do as many performances of K. 361 and K. 626 as I
> can
> get hired to play or as I can bribe people into hiring me to play.>>>>>>>>
>
> Gosh, Dan, I can't stand it!! :-) I get to play the K361 for the VERY
> first time in November, and at best will have alto clarinets reading the
> basset parts. I am going to be playing the first clarinet part, not basset,
> but I get to make the decisions about whether we will play the basset parts
> on soprano clarinet or alto clarinet. Playing on real bassets is not an
> option, I don't think.
>
> Which do you recommend? Of course, I hate to ask you to come down from the
> Elysian fields of custom made basset horns to consider my own sordid
> situation, but I would value your opinion, as well as those of you other mere
> mortals who have also not had basset horns available for this work. :-D
>
> thanks all....
>
> Elise Curran
> Orlando, FL
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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** Dan Leeson **
** leeson0@-----.net **
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