Klarinet Archive - Posting 000698.txt from 2002/11

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass in C
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:58:46 -0500

MVinquist@-----.com wrote:
> There's an unusual bass in C on eBay at
> <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=922275054>, described as
> a "baritone clarinet." The description reads: "In the key of "C" and is a
> Boehm system with a double octave key. I believe built around 1890 - 1900 by
> Ernst Steiber, Markneukirchen Saxony as engraved on the bell. I have owned
> and played this for over 50 years, playing mostly jazz and dixieland. I had
> it silver plated, keys, posts and all metal parts about 15 years ago that
> gave more body to the tone. I am told by symphony players in the old Saxony
> area (absorbed into Germany before WW1) that music is still written for it!"
>
> I've heard that Dennis Smylie has one. Has anyone else got one, or played
> one? Is there anything in the repertoire for it? I suppose it's almost as
> rare as Dan Leeson's famous bass in A.
>
About 20 years ago I played a gig that requested bass clarinet in C (and
in the bass
clef). But since the composer was contemporary, it puzzled me. Well,
when he showed up at the performance, I cornered him and asked what his
intentions were for that particular transposition. His answer was
something like, "What??! Didn't the publisher produce the part in B-flat
as I had intended and requested?"

In effect, the composer wrote for everything in concert pitch and then
told the publisher to produce the part for the proper instrument.

But in Germany during the late 1800s, the instrument was used as a
substitute for bassoon in chamber music, so having one in C negated the
necessity for transposition.

Dan

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