Klarinet Archive - Posting 000067.txt from 2004/03

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Basset Clarinets - to take over the world???
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 09:36:33 -0500

Matthew Lloyd wrote:
> Dan,
>
> I understand completely why the Basset Clarinet is essential for the two
> big Mozart works.
>
> I understand that there are parts written (Tito?) for Basset Clarinet in
> Bb. So the need for one of those is there - same principle of course.
>
> But why have a pair of Basset Clarinets as your regular pair? That I
> can't see. The Basset Clarinet has practical disadvantages in that it is
> much longer and therefore heavier as well as more expensive. Leaving
> aside those rare works (albeit that they are central to the repertoire)
> that are written for them, why should I carry around more wood than I do
> at present?
>
> I'm sure that there is a good reason - it's just that I can't see it!
>
> Matthew
>
Because if clarinetists have them, composers will write for them. In
this way we, as performers, will impact the repertorie for many years.
And as the instruments are required for this or that piece, players will
buy basset clarients in order to play them.

There is a slightly similar situation with the clarinet that descends to
low E-flat, a note that is not on all traditional clarinets. But as
composers began to require that note (the clarinet part in Peter and the
Wolf, for example) you found a player here and there (and certainly all
the Russian players) who bought such a clarinet for exactly that purpose.

Don't think of yourself of a passive being. As a clarinet player you
should be establishing the range of an instrument that you can play so
that composers will write for it. Don't be passive. Be active.

Dan

>
>
>
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--
Dan Leeson
leeson0@-----.net

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