Klarinet Archive - Posting 000411.txt from 2004/08

From: <duffyl@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass clarinet in A
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2004 21:57:19 -0400

To: Mark Weinstein

From David Dow
Symphony NB
Principal Clarinet

There have all kinds of arguements against the Bass Clarinet in A but the
very best reasoning for it is Ravel himself. As a composer he was most
precise about tonal colour and therefore his intentions in Works like La
Valse to include the Bass in A is testimony to the tonal colour he was in
search for. Stravinsky in his interviews with Robert Craft also further
amplifies a number of aspects about Ravel's orchestration and the genius
behind his choices for orchestration.

As to the sound of the A Bass I certainly think it would be capable of as
great a sound as the regular Bb provided the player has chops etc.

David Dow

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