Klarinet Archive - Posting 000130.txt from 2002/09

From: EClarinet@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: alto clarinet in band
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 01:30:31 -0400

In a message dated 9/10/02 3:04:32 PM EST, Tim writes:

<< There is virtually no band literature that does justice to the
alto clarinet. I bought an alto clarinet at an estate sale and tried to get
enthusiastic about it, but all the parts were oom-pah oom-pah, and I didn't
feel like I was contributing to the band. >>

There are some band alto parts that are good, like anything by Norman Dello
Joio or Grainger---if you have never played the alto part to Molly, you
haven't really lived! :-) I have occasionally played alto out of boredom of
playing the same old pieces, and I really had fun with the Giannini Sym No. 3
and the 1812 Overture....in both works, the alto has runs with both the
clarinets and the bass clarinet, and they were great, not to mention some
soloistic stuff in the slow mvt of the Giannini. I know there are more
besides these, but my point is that there are SOME, and a good section leader
or conductor will make sure to have the part covered when it's justified by
real writing for the instrument. For instance, in our next Central FL Winds
concert, the only piece that really needs the alto is the Hindemith Symphony,
and Klarinetlist's own Ann Satterfield will be cranking that out!

Of course, in clarinet choirs, the alto is a much more important member, and
is a necessity.

But I agree that you need an instrument that blows well. I paid $85 for a
Bundy alto that had been rebored by a local wwind guy, and it's like playing
a bass---woohoo!

Elise Curran
Orlando, FL

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