Klarinet Archive - Posting 000306.txt from 2005/07

From: Adam Michlin <amichlin@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Wind Band Music: Solo Clarinet vs. Clarinet 4
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 13:40:29 -0400

Dear List,

I am in the process of finishing off a wind band transcription of an
orchestral piece. For various reasons, I ended up with 4 Soprano Bb
clarinet parts and am trying to decide whether to indicate them as 1-4 Bb
Clarinet or Solo, 1-3 Bb Clarinet.

Historically, the designation of "Solo Clarinet" seems to be not what the
phrase would appear to mean at first sight. Looking at both Holst (the
Suites) and Copland ("An Outdoor Overture",) lead me to be tempted to use
the designation Solo Clarinet (the Copland is even published with 3 copies
of the "Solo" clarinet part). I seem to recall Grainger, on the other hand,
using the designation Bb Clarinets 1-4. I'm leaning towards Bb Clarinets
1-4, if only to minimize the confusion often found in band music with parts
labeled "Solo Clarinet". The Holst "Solo" clarinet parts are about 99% the
same as the 1st part, the Copland varies a little bit more.

I don't know the history of the term "Solo Clarinet" in wind band music, so
I'm happy to consider arguments either way. I realize this is probably just
a semantic argument, but I though I would put out the question just in case
I was missing something.

-Adam

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