Klarinet Archive - Posting 000360.txt from 2005/06

From: Andrew Grenci <agrenci@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Basset clarinets are regular orchestral instruments
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2005 19:22:23 -0400

Dan makes a good point regarding band rep. Much of that which uses the
extended bass cl does date from recent times. But, I question his
assertion that only after low C basses were placed in the hands of most
players was there any significant repertoire written to use it. Quite
the opposite seems to be more likely.

The following is a short list, quickly compiled of major works by major
composers which require written pitches below Eb. Note that all date
from prior to 1950.

Berg, Violin Concerto (1935)
Prokofiev, Sym #5 (1944)
Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet Suite (1936)
Shostakovich, Sym. #6 (1939)
Stravinsky, Petroushka (1911)
Khachaturian, Piano Concerto (1946)

Many more could be added if these don't make the point. It seems then,
that a person buying a low C bass in the 1960's was rather late to the
party, but it is true that many fine players did so. I would submit
that what precipitated the purchase of a low C bass for MOST players at
that time was the increasing popularity of such works as listed above
with professional performing ensembles, leading to the professional
necessity of owning the instrument.

Andy

Andrew Grenci
Bass Clarinet, U.S. Coast Guard Band
New Haven Symphony Orchestra

On Jun 20, 2005, at 8:22 AM, Dan Leeson wrote:

> I ask Andrew to place the compositions about which he speaks (namely
> lots of
> use of bass clarinet with notes below the low E-flat in band music) in
> chrononological order. I also have noticed that low D is a
> requirement on
> at least one Sousa march, but I suspect that his claim of lots of low
> D,
> D-flat, and C in his contemporary band concerts may include recently
> written
> repertoire; i.e. since ca. 1960 or even later. And if that is true,
> then it
> seems that composers writing for a low C bass is a recent development,
> one
> that arose only when the low C bass became more common.
>
> I bought my low C bass in Paris when I lived there (paid $250 for it
> with
> case but no mouthpiece). But those instruments were not yet off the
> shelf.
> Ordinary bass clarinets were, but low C basses were a special order
> with a
> few months wait. That was in 1963.
>
> Without having done the research to sustain this point, I question the
> ordinary use of what are now low C bass clarinet notes, before ca.
> 1950.
>
> DNL
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Grenci [mailto:agrenci@-----.com]
> Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 8:06 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] Basset clarinets are regular orchestral instruments
>
>
> Of course, the problem with this logic is that the lowest notes on bass
> clarinet are not used "rarely", but rather quite often. Few orchestra
> or band concerts go by went I do not need to play a low D, Db or C.
> And much of the solo rep requires these pitches as well.
>
> On the other hand, in more than two decades of professional clarinet
> playing I have never even once been asked to play a orchestral or band
> clarinet part which included basset clarinet notes. Not once. Now
> THAT is rare.
>
> Dan should be venting his wrath on the true villain here - Beethoven.
> If he had taken up where Mozart left off then others (Schubert, Brahms,
> etc., etc.) may have followed his lead and the whole history of the
> clarinet might have been different.
>
> Andy
>
> Andrew Grenci
> Bass Clarinet, U.S. Coast Guard Band
> New Haven Symphony Orchestra
>
>
>
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