Klarinet Archive - Posting 000318.txt from 2010/10

From: Sean Osborn <feanor33@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] H?
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010 11:58:31 -0400

Dan,

Thanks for the clarification. Very strange! It seems so unnecessary
for Mozart (or anyone who had a fully chromatic clarinet) to ask for
such an unusual instrument.

Sean

>The reason why you never see the request for clarinet in B-natural
>(or clarinet in H) in the performance parts of either Idomeneo or
>Cosi is because it has been edited out of the published editions,
>probably because no one believes that they can ask a clarinetist to
>find one of those. But I have the Neue Mozart Ausgabe volumes of
>both operas as well facsimiles of the autographs of both operas, and
>there, in black in white in Mozart's hand is the request for the
>clarinet in B-natural. I remember when I was contacted by the editor
>of the Cosi volume who could not figure out what a clarinet in H
>was. Frankly, I was puzzled too.
>
>It's a rarity to be sure, but it is absolute. And to make the
>matter worse, the editors invariably create the part for an A
>clarinet which is very much the wrong character of sound. A
>B-natural clarinet is almost as lively as a C clarinet, and the A
>clarinet substitution called for by the editors presents a sound
>character too somber.
>
>I'll scan and post the material right from the NMA volume if you
>want further corroboration.
>
>Dan Leeson

www.osbornmusic.com

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