Klarinet Archive - Posting 000005.txt from 2003/05
From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] The basset clarinet and it's low b-natural
Date: Thu, 1 May 2003 09:50:24 -0400
My posting about Eric Hoeprich playing a low b-natural in K. 622 got
back to him and he sent me the following note on the matter. After
reading it, I asked if he would object to me posting it on KLARINET and
he graciously agreed. Then I made a remark about a museum-level basset
horn having not only a vent hold that could be closed by the calf to
produce a low b-natural, but a key built to close it, which is absolute
evidence that the lowest note would be other than low C. He sent a
response to that and I include it here also.
Dan
=========================================
Hi Dan,
I saw your remarks on Bob's report about the low b-natural, and just
wanted to add two things. The main reason for even considering it is
that in one of the Riga announcements, there is a reference to an
additional THREE semitones in the low register of Stadler's special
clarinet. Now two semitones, I can understand, i.e. e-flat & c-sharp,
but three left me confounded. A review of a concert Stadler subsequently
gave in Lübeck refers to an additional FIVE notes in the low register of
Stadler's instrument, so these remarks add up to there having to be a
b-natural.
My idea of closing the hole with my leg was in the first instance in
order to play the minor section in the Rondo two octaves lower, which
requires a low b-natural. When I played it on an earlier version of the
basset clarinet, and recorded it for Philips, I played the opening of
the minor motive only one octave lower, and then descended to the lowest
range. This was not satisfying. Of course there's no way of being
certain, but it does work and there are a couple of other spots where it
seems right to use it.
By the way, Bob played KV482 wonderfully in Portland. He's a master!
All the best,
Eric
==========================================
Dear Dan,
Yes, actually there are at least four basset horns with a low b-natural,
by Hammig (2), Braun and Greve. These all have a fifth basst key.
I agree with your summary except, that I personally haven't found any
convincing spots in the slow movement of KV622 for the low b-natural,
except maybe in the cadenza.
Please feel free to post my remarks.
All the best,
Eric
===========================================
[end of two quotations]
Fellow players, when there is some evidence presented that the extended
range of the 18th century basset horn and/or basset clarinet lies below
that of low C, I think this to be remarkable news. Right now, we have
several views on the range of the clarinet in Mozart's time. A few
still are not aware of the fact that Stadler's clarinet went below low
e. A much greater number now believe and accept the fact that it went to
low c. And finally, the glimmer of evidence that it descended to low
b-natural.
At this rate, we'll have it down to low g by 2017!!
Dan Leeson
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**Dan Leeson **
**leeson0@-----.net **
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