Klarinet Archive - Posting 001142.txt from 2003/03

From: "Matthew Lloyd" <Matthew@-----.uk>
Subj: RE: [kl] C clarinet, D Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, A Clarinet, Eb Clarinet..... Bass Clarinet in A
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 20:09:38 -0500

I wasn't suggesting that finance was a relevant consideration - just
that there are some instruments that are no longer with us. I suppose,
taking the argument that you put forward to a logical conclusion then we
could have these instruments made for us.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not arguing for using the "wrong" instrument
per se - I think that if the composer said use a certain clarinet then
we should unless we have reached a decision - musically - that requires
an alternative instrument. But you must be in the minority with a Bass
in A Dan - I have seen a couple of Wagner Operas at Covent Garden and
seen only the one bass clarinet! Or are Tristan, Parsifal and
Meistersinger the odd ones out using only Bb? Being in the front row (as
I almost always am) I would have seen what she was using!

Matthew

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Leeson [mailto:leeson0@-----.net]
Subject: Re: [kl] C clarinet, D Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, A Clarinet, Eb
Clarinet..... Bass Clarinet in A

> Isn't the same point true of the Eb/D instruments?
>
> And what about Bass Clarinets - Wagner wrote for Bass in A - should we
> all go out and buy one??
>
> Where do we stop?

Asking this question is not responsive. And why not buy a bass in A? I

did. So suggesting that the problem is unsolveable because it puts a
financial burden on you is true, but is not a reaction that contains
musical substance. It poses an economic argument against an artistic
need. Violinists and cellists will spend $50,000 and more for an
instrument because they need it for their profession. Are we different?
If it is all too expensive for you, then that's that, but such an
argument does not vitiate against the use of those instruments.

If a professional player choses not to do what some of us suggest, then
there is nothing that can be done. But that does not constitute an
argument for not doing it.

>
> Matthew Lloyd
>
>
>
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**Dan Leeson **
**leeson0@-----.net **
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