Klarinet Archive - Posting 000035.txt from 2009/10

From: Simon Aldrich <simonaldrich@-----.ca>
Subj: [kl] Antique clarinet length determines diapason?
Date: Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:53:29 -0400

Thank you Diego, Doug and Keith for your responses.

From what I understand from your postings it appears the most we can
glean from the length of an antique clarinet is its key (C, Bb, A,
etc) not its diapason.
Is there a quasi-reliable way of guessing an instrument's diapason
from the year of manufacture (knowing the diapason in a particular
year in a particular country) or is this iffy at best?
Or, if the objective is to play at A430 with other A430-pitched
instruments, should one get a replica by one of today's good makers
(ie Stephen Fox) instead of taking shots in the dark at an antique
instrument's diapason?
Is it even wise to buy and play on an instrument (like those found in
the clarinet section of http://www.earlymusicalinstruments.com/) that
is made of a light wood after 200 years of not being played?
Steve Fox's page does not indicate the price of an A430 replica. Does
anyone know that price or the going prices for A430 replicas (in Bb)?

Thanks
------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Aldrich

Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne

------------------------------------------------------------------