Klarinet Archive - Posting 000543.txt from 2003/02

From: "Heinemann, Stephen" <sjh@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Orchestral rep for Contra Bass Clarinet
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 17:46:19 -0500

Dan Leeson wrote:

> I participated in a performance of a contrabassoon concerto by =
the=3D20
> American composer and French horn player who was then the head of =
the=3D20
> New England Conservatory, Gunther Schuller. played the =
contrabass=3D20
> clarinet part.
>
> Talk about ugly!! There were extended passages in which the
> contrabassoon and the contrabass clarinet played duets at their lowest =

> extremity, both completely exposed.

I've heard that and didn't think it sounded "ugly" at all. "Dark,"=20
maybe...

Other orchestral repertoire:=20

Elliott Carter, Cello Concerto -- includes clarinet, bass, and=20
contra

Augusta Read Thomas, _Constellations_ -- ditto.=20
(In this piece the orchestra is reseated; bass clarinetist
sits next to the concertmaster.)

Steve Heinemann
Bradley University

****************************
Dr. Stephen Heinemann
Associate Professor of Music
Theory/Composition/Clarinet
Bradley University
Peoria, IL 61625
(309)677-2603
sjh@-----.edu
****************************

---------------------------------------------------------------------