Klarinet Archive - Posting 000164.txt from 2010/06

From: Martin Baxter <martinbaxter1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in Concert band?
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:43:02 -0400

My third "Diversion" for Sextet, which you can download for free fom Oliver Seely's page has quite a nice part for Alto Clarinet - well I enjoy playing it anyway.
I use a"Normandy" Alto, very similar to the Vito, and found a VanDoren mouthpiece improved it considerably at very little cost; mind you I had the chance to try half a dozen before I found the one I liked. I use a Fobes m'pice on my contra alto and hope to try one on my bass next time I visit John Myatt's.
Martin (Baxter)

On 14 Jun 2010, at 00:07, John Brophy wrote:

> Alto clarinets are nomally found in original works, such as the Holst
> suites, and Percy Grainger. Not arrangements such as by the Godfrey family.
> They fell out of favour 1925-30 and though they are coming back, you can't
> always be guaranteed a part. I play alto in the CWU (Dublin) band. Check
> Facebook But then, very few bands use Eb sopranino clarinet, or soprano sax,
> probably because nobody will do enough practice to ensure decent intonation.
>
> You're right about the Vitos Mine cost $150 inc. shipping.Asregards
> interesting parts, a lazy arranger will just transcribe the viola parts--and
> in 4-part harmony the alto part is the last to be done. Also, arrangers
> don't realise that it takes a lot more puff to get alto to speak.
> Conta-alto and contrabass are normally found only in US arrangements.
> I'll keep a lookout for good alto parts and let you know of any
> discoveries
> JB
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 5:55 PM, <BarDu@-----.com> wrote:
>
>> Also found in Dello Joio"s Variants on a Medieval Tune
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 6/6/2010 12:43:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>> BarDu@-----.com writes:
>>
>> Percy Grainger's Lincolnshire Posey has an important alto clarinet part
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 6/6/2010 12:33:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>> dnleeson@-----.net writes:
>>
>> Bill Foss commented on the use of the alto clarinet in concert band. He
>> expressed disappointment that so few works have important alto clarinet
>> parts.
>>
>> Percy Grainger wrote some very special alto clarinet parts in his
>> original
>> compositions for wind band, not the folk song arrangements. I always
>> found
>> them (in the few times that I played these rare works) to be remarkable
>> compositions for winds. I can;'t remember the names of the two works I
>> have
>> in mind but I think that one of them was for 23 winds.
>>
>> Does anyone remember the names of the works I have in mind?
>>
>> Dan Leeson
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "William Foss" <billfoss47@-----.net>
>> To: "The Klarinet Mailing List" <klarinet@-----.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 1:19 PM
>> Subject: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in Concert band?
>>
>>
>>> My experience is that Concert Band Alto Clarinet parts mostly
>>> duplicate the Alto Sax or 3rd Clarinet parts with little arranger
>> time/
>>> brain power being utilized to use the instrument for its own
>>> (?)values(?).
>>>
>>> I am sure there are other works that have important Alto Clarinet
>>> parts, but the only one I can think of is the transcription of Elgar's
>>> Enigma Variations.
>>>
>>> Bill Foss
>>> U.S. Army Retired
>>> USC Aiken, Retired Woodwind Professor
>>> Director of Bands, Aiken Prep
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jun 5, 2010, at 4:13 PM, Robert MacMillan wrote:
>>>
>>>> I understand that alto clarinets are more useful in a small group
>>>> than in a concert band, because they generally duplicate the alto
>>>> sax parts on concert band charts.
>>>>
>>>> Opinions please.
>>>>
>>>> Rob
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>>>
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>>
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>
>
>
> --
> John Brophy
> 16 St Brigid's Road
> Clondalkin
> Dublin 22
>
> + 353 1 459 2136
> + 353 87 244 7718
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