Klarinet Archive - Posting 000120.txt from 2004/03
From: "Ginger Hill" <Gigi1182@------.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Rossi Clarinets
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 00:23:48 -0500
Thanks Tom, this helps us out a lot!
Harold has been playing quite some time- only not professionaly. He
enjoys purchasing new clarinets and he thinks it's time for something
different. He has been looking at a Rosewood French bore Rossi. This
would be for band playing however- so I will stick to what I told him
about getting a blackwood clarinet over rosewood. I told my father when
he called that I had never heard of them and would highly recommend a
Buffet over some brand I didn't know- but now after all the e-mails I'm
getting about this Rossi clarinet, I wanna try one too!!
~Ginger
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom.Henson@------.com [mailto:Tom.Henson@------.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 12:09 AM
To: klarinet@------.org
Subject: RE: [kl] Rossi Clarinets
Ginger,
There are a few people on this list that have either played them or
currently play them including myself.
I have a French bore Blackwood Rossi. Most people on this list play the
American bore which is designed by Luis Rossi to be similar, but better
(in his own words) than an R13.
There are three basic bores available, two of which you can purchase in
the U.S. from Woodwind and Brasswind who is an authorized dealer and
stocks them. They are the American, French, English bore. Luis also
makes German and Viennese bores.
Recently, David Cane out of Florida became a dealer as well. David Cane
is where you purchase the Gonzales reeds. Last time I checked they were
still waiting for inventory to arrive. They also distribute Howarth in
the U.S. now and have some in stock. I believe that WW&BW does have some
stock, but you would have to check their web site. Of course you can
order directly from Luis. I personally bought mine from WW&BW. When I
calculated the final cost, I could not have purchased it any cheaper
going direct. However, Luis is very accommodating and will be happy to
customize a clarinet for you if you work directly with him. Lead time is
about 2-6 months I think. I have heard that some people have faxed a
tracing of their hands to him and he used this to customize the keys. If
you email Luis, he is very good to get back with you and answer any
questions.
U.S. dealers:
www.wwbw.com
www.daviecane.com
Now getting back to the American bore and French bore. Rosewood vs.
Blackwood.
Here is an excerpt of a message that Luis sent me:
"French bore is 14.6
American bore is 14.65
As you can see, the difference is very small.
The toneholes are placed lower in the French Bore clarinet.
Speaking generally, French Bore works better for European
pleayers
while American Bore suits R13 players.
American Bore has a polycylindrical bore and offers that
ressistance that R13 players are used too.
French Bore is a very friendly instrument, which makes
possible a
large, flexible tone.
I have recorded Mercandante and Stanford concertos with
French
Bore Bb and A clarinets ( CD : Live Performances, available
from
Clarinet Books & More)
Best regards,
Luis Rossi"
I did not have the opportunity to play an American bore, but am totally
happy with the French bore. It has a very large sound, is easy blowing,
and has extremely flexible dynamics with not a lot of resistance. I
choose to use a mouthpiece that has the resistance I need to control my
sound instead of the clarinet.
Here are two links that should prove helpful to your friend. One link is
Jonathan Cohler who plays a French bore Blackwood Rossi (like mine) and
the other is Ted Lane who plays an American bore Rosewood. Listen and
you be the judge. Obviously, there is no substitute to play one in
person.
http://www.ongaku-records.com/CAlone.html
http://www.americansinfonietta.org/TAL.html
Jonathan Cohler is the top link while Ted is on the bottom link. I was
able to trade several emails with Jonathan about his feelings and
opinion of the French bore Blackwood Rossi and he was very kind, but
busy.
Ted is a friend of mine and a very nice guy. He would be happy to try
and answer any questions your friend might have.
Of course, I prefer the Blackwood over the Rosewood for general solo and
orchestral/band work. The sound of the Rosewood, in my opinion, is
perfectly suited to smaller ensemble or chamber work than large groups.
But this is just my feeling from listening to both.
I do believe that the Rosewood is more popular than the Blackwood,
perhaps because it is exotic and so well made. Blackwood is more common
in this sense to most of us.
Either way you go, Rossi clarinets are absolutely first rate and they
play wonderfully. You have to get used to a little different scale and
try different mouthpieces to find the right one that works best with it.
Think of a Rossi clarinet as a custom hand made clarinet. Luis only
makes about 6 a month, so you will be in a very small, but growing club.
Tom Henson
I have a friend who is looking into getting a Rossi clarinet in
rosewood. Checking online, this is a South american clarinet maker, who
has played in several south american orchestras. This clarinet is a
one-piece design. Do any of you either play Rossi clarinets or have
played one? Do you know of anyone who may have? If so, please send
input. It would be greatly appreciated.
Check out http://www.rossiclarinet.cl/index.htm
Thanks,
Ginger
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