Klarinet Archive - Posting 001207.txt from 2003/04

From: DGross1226@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: Mozart's 12 duets for 2 basset horns
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:49:03 -0400

In a message dated 4/25/2003 1:17:51 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Dan Leeson <
leeson0@-----.net> writes:

<<What makes you think that the trio "shouldn't be playing this music"? Of
course they should be playing these trios since they were almost certainly
written for 3 basset horns.>>

Dan,

Three years ago, the three-member bass clarinet section (we cover bass,
contra alto, and contrabass) of the Claremont Symphonic Winds performed the
Trio di Clarone's arrangement of the Mozart Divertimento No. 4, K. 439b for
three basset horns in concert on bass clarinets. I played Basset Horn I on a
vintage 1950 Selmer (to low Eb) while the other two members played Basset
Horns II and III on low C Selmer 37s.

Although basset horn "purists" might have a problem with the timbre of the
bass clarinets and pitch of the non-transposed parts, it was a joy -- and a
challenge -- to perform, AND a marvelous crowd pleaser!

I do have a program to prove we actually performed it, but unfortunately it
was the only concert in the group's recent history that someone forgot to
hire the sound recordist!

Don Gross
La Canada, California
Bass Clarinet - Cal State Los Angeles Wind Ensemble
Contrabass Clarinet - Claremont Symphonic Winds
Contrabass Clarinet - Caltech/Occidental College Concert Band

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