Klarinet Archive - Posting 000099.txt from 2004/04

From: "Lacy, Edwin" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] RE: Tchaikovsky 6
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 13:57:43 -0400

3rd attempt to get the list to accept this message:

In response to:
=A0
> Can anyone speak authoritatively about the practice of replacing the
> bassoon with bass clarinet for the last four notes before the
> development section in the first movement? I may need ammunition to
> convince a conductor and a principal bassoon.
=A0
Dan Leeson wrote:

<<<First it is true that it is only four notes, but the transition works =
more
smoothly when the last note of the clarinet solo is doubled by the bass
clarinet.=A0 This makes the transition without the slightest break.

Second, there is no authority for doing this but it has become the =
standard
prace in Russia, the U.S. and most European orchestras.=A0 It's a pain =
in the
neck for the bass clarinetist because there is nothing else to do for 40
minutes.>>>
=A0
I am primarily a bassoonist, and have played the Tchaik. 6 many times, =
including a performance just a few months ago.=A0 I once played the =
infamous four notes, but on all the other occasions, the bass clarinet =
has played them.=A0 On the most recent occasion, the bass clarinetist =
wasn't present in the first rehearsal, so I played the passage on =
bassoon.=A0 That reinforced for me that=A0I=A0am very doubtful that any =
bassoonist would prefer to play those notes.=A0 It is a very difficult =
task, because the first clarinetist can usually play the preceding notes =
so softly.=A0 If the principal clarinetist and principal bassoonist get =
along well, the clarinetist=A0may be convinced to=A0play at not quite =
the lowest limit of their dynamic range,=A0providing that=A0the =
conductor will permit it.=A0 Or perhaps the clarinetist can be bribed =
with a pizza or a couple of beers or both.=A0 That could give the =
bassoonist a fighting chance.=A0 Otherwise, the bassoonist will probably =
be content just to admire the ability of the clarinet and the bass =
clarinet to play extremely softly in the lower register.
=A0
Ed Lacy
University of Evansville

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