Klarinet Archive - Posting 000149.txt from 2004/04

From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 22:26:41 -0400

It isn't as if the bass clarinet hadn't been invented by 1893. Tchaikovsky
used it himself very skillfully in other pieces (think Sugar Plum Fairy).
Although the reason for using a bass clarinet here is obvious, as you say,
it seems like a far higher level of audacity even than transposing between A
and Bb clarinets to make technical passage work easier or avoid solos on
cold instruments. Tchaikovsky knew what was available and made a choice.

I've heard this passage played on bassoon, have performed it with the
bassoon playing the four notes, and have read comments in more than one
place by well-known clarinet players advising the clarinetist to ignore (or
minimize) the diminuendo in order to allow the bassoon a better chance to
take over more smoothly. If as principal clarinetist I were asked my
preference <audible giggles> I would ask to have the principal bassoonist
play the notes and practice together to make the transition as smooth as
possible.

Karl Krelove

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dan [mailto:dnleeson@-----.net]
> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2004 4:30 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: RE: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6
>
>
> It appears to me to be obvious why the change from the manuscript is
> requested. The idea of the soprano clarinet switching to the bassoon for
> the notes that cannot be reached on clarinet was probably considered
> abrasive; i.e., the sound character of the two instrument is significantly
> different. With the bass clarinet, the abrasion is allegedly
> reduced. But
> nobody asked Tchikovsky about it. He was a very competent
> orchestrator and,
> all things being equal, I have to figure that he chose what he wanted,
> namely a clarinet voice followed by a bassoon voice. And why not? Is it
> seriously believed that the man could not distinguish what he
> asked for from
> what is generally accepted practice today.
>
> Dan Leeson
>
>

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