Klarinet Archive - Posting 000294.txt from 2006/10

From: Glenn Kantor <klarinet@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:08:25 -0400

Dan,

Perhaps Tchaikovsky WANTED the change in tonality between the clarinet and
bassoon.

Maybe he didn't want it to be "seamless" :-)

Curious as to when the "tradition" of using the bass clarinet for these 4
(or 5) notes actually began...

Glenn B Kantor (GBK)

----- Original Message -----
From: "dnleeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:50 PM
Subject: RE: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question

> Unfortunately, the use of the bass clarinet has become a
> "hallowed tradition," which is almost a sentence of death. And
> in many orchestras, the bass clarinet part MUST be played by the
> bass clarinetist. It is generally in the contract, and this
> precludes the use of the 2nd clarinet player who, if he played
> it, would get a doubling fee.
>
> While I fully agree with Glenn that we should respect the
> composer's wishes, there are two things that support the use of
> the bass clarinet. First, the connection between the last note
> of the clarinet and the first note of the following passage
> should be seamless, and that is much more difficult to do when
> the clarinet leaves and the bassoon enters. Second, a bass
> clarinet can play much more softly in that register, which is
> generally the wish of the conductor.
>
> I have sat through many performances of that work only because I
> had to play those four notes. Actually, I played five notes,
> because I would begin playing in unison with the clarinettist on
> his last note thereby making the connection absolutely seamless.
>
> Dan Leeson
> DNLeeson@-----.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Glenn Kantor [mailto:klarinet@-----.net]
> Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 9:37 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question
>
>
> If the conductor insists on using the bass clarinet to finish the
> descending
> clarinet solo line, the 2nd clarinet player is resting during
> this time and
> has ample time to switch to bass clarinet.
>
> Of course, this all certainly begs the question - Tchaikovsky
> certainly knew
> of the bass clarinet and its capabilities, but he still chose to
> have the
> clarinet line followed by the bassoon. Should we not respect his
> wishes?
>
> Glenn B Kantor (GBK)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Lytthans" <lytthans@-----.net>
> To: "Klarinet Digest (Mail)" <klarinet@-----.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:02 PM
> Subject: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question
>
>
>>I have a question regarding the use of bass clarinet in the
> Tchaikovsky
>>"Pathetique". symphony. We're doing it on the next concert, and
> I have
>>played it many times. I remember the bass clarinet, not the
> bassoon,
>>playing the last four notes in measure 160, at the end of the
> clarinet
>>solo, just before the Allegro Vivo in the 1st movement. Several
> recordings
>>I have of the work use bass clarinet also, but I can't seem to
> locate a
>>bass part. I know the four notes in question are an easy
> substitution, but
>>I can't see the player sitting on stage for just four notes. Any
>>suggestions?
>>
>> Jim Lytthans
>> Anaheim, CA
>>
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>
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