 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-10-01 14:53
If anybody wants to hear an orchestral work with a bass clarinet part that's truly dynamite, listen to Joseph Suk's "Asrael" Symphony. Suk was a pupil (and son-in-law) of Dvorak, apparently not well known in the U.S., but the works of his I've heard thus far have terrific bass clarinet parts. His music, if you had to describe it in words, seems to be an amalgam of Dvorak (no surprise there), Mahler, and maybe some Vaughan Williams or Benjamin Britten. The bass clarinet has a hugely important part in "Asrael", not only adding color and harmony throughout, but often carrying the melody. There's probably more good bass clarinet in this work alone than in a dozen typical symphonies by just about anyone else. I also recommend any of the English orchestras, as their bass clarinetists uniformly have a marvelous sound. My current recording is by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Libor Pesek (1991), and it is fabulous in every way. Suk's works are not too easy to find in stores, but are available from the larger Internet CD retailers.
David Spiegelthal
Calverton, VA
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Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2001-10-01 16:45
As I understand it, the English Bb's have a very different configuration from what we're used to here - basically big bores and soft reeds. Does this carry into their Basses? I'll have to find a recording of this puppy. Are you playing this somewhere or did you happen on the recording, Dave?
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-10-01 17:04
Stephen,
I heard a recording of this on the car radio last year, a recent live performance by the same orchestra (RLPO), and it blew me away. Then I struck up an email conversation with one of the administrators of the Royal Liverpool orchestra, and he told me that they had recorded this work, so I finally got around to ordering my own copy. I haven't played this piece and probably never will have the honor, but I would give my right arm to play it with a good orchestra! Trouble is, if I give up my right arm I won't be able to play at all, it's a bit of a dilemma........
I have no idea what sorts of bass clarinets, mouthpieces and reeds the English professionals are using these days. If they're moving towards French instruments like nearly everyone else, then I assume they'd be playing Buffets and Selmers primarily -- but this is all conjecture. All I know is, those Brits sound GOOD!
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-10-01 18:31
I know that Peter Eaton makes big bore sopranos similar to the old Boosey&Hawkes 1010s, and that these are popular in Britain, but I don't think he makes basses. I don't know of anyone making an especially large bore bass.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-10-02 14:29
I would like to take the liberty of posting here a reply to my original post above, from Larry Bocaner, recently-retired bass clarinetist of the Washington (DC) National Symphony Orchestra. He posted his reply to the "bass clarinet" list, but I'm putting it here on Sneezy so others can benefit from his experience:
"Totally agree about the "Asrael" symphony--performed it some years ago
with Jiri Belholovek (I'm sure I spelled his name wrong but he is a
wonderful conductor) and had a ball playing it--even though it's about
the Angel of Death!
Totally disagree about the quality of Brit bass clarinet playing! I've
heard over the years a number of the London Orchestras live and on
record; my take is that the quality of bass clarinet playing ranges from
sublime to truly raunchy! As my old philosophy professor said: "All
generalities are lies--including this one."
We can duke this out at CWS rehearsal tonight, Dave!
Best Regards,
Larry Bocaner
National Symphony Orch. (retired)"
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Author: graham
Date: 2001-10-02 16:36
Most British bass players would go for Selmer or Buffet, and my guess is Selmer more than Buffet. On old British recordings there might be a B&H instrument instead.
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