Klarinet Archive - Posting 000217.txt from 2007/06

From: "dnleeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Article on Thea King
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:13:47 -0400

I think that John's analysis is probably correct. Even today,
intelligent people get the basset horn and the basset clarinet
mixed up.

My thanks to you John for your comments.

And the original title of the 1948 Dazely article was "The
original text of the Mozart clarinet concerto."

Dan Leeson
DNLeeson@-----.net

-----Original Message-----
From: John Dablin [mailto:jdablin@-----.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2007 2:54 PM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: Re: [kl] Article on Thea King

On Sunday 01 July 2007 00:16, dnleeson wrote:
[ snip ]
>
> Another issue is the assertion that King played both K. 580 and
> K. 622 on a basset horn. That opens a lot of questions: what
was
> the pitch of the basset horn on which she played, what was the
> pitch of the performance? If A major, that would put the
basset
> horn (in F, presumably) in a very awkward key. Or were the
> orchestral parts changed to F major so as to allow the basset
> horn to play both works in the written key of C major?
>
> I don't understand this assertion at all, and I would be very
> grateful if someone who knew something about this alleged
> performance would say something to clarify the matter.
>
> It is not uncommon when a great player and fine teacher passes
> away that the obituary writers take liberties with the facts.
> Perhaps is the case.

I remember attending a concert in Hemel Hempstead, UK, where Thea
King played the Mozart Concerto on a basset clarinet. This was
probably in the late 1970s or early 80s. It was most definitely
a
basset clarinet and not a basset horn, and I remember the
occasion
clearly because it was the first time I'd ever seen the
instrument.
It was straight, and she played standing, with a long floor peg
to
support the bell of the instrument.

It's highly probable that the distinction between the basset horn
and basset clarinet might be a little hazy in the mind of an
obituary writer.

John Dablin
Aylesbury UK

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