 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-03-10 02:44
Are there any major players still using the Leblanc Concerto or Opus?
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Author: William
Date: 2010-03-12 16:24
I was/am wondering the same. My set of Leblanc Concerto's, selected from hundreds at the Kenosha factory (by me) and worked on by TR, are excellant playing instruments. Well in tune with remarkably even scales and tone qualities--low to high, soft to loud. But the problem, for me, was always the "loud"--or rather, projective quality of the sound. Up close, the sound is rich and "woody"-- wonderful--but I always had (during the ten years I played them) a problem with projecting through the orchestra or band during solo or lead passages. Early on, I went to a concert given by the University of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra with Larry Combs as soloist (a Les Thimmig composition). Larry was often inaudible in UW's Mills Concert Hall during solo passages and the orchestra was not overplaying. I should have "caught on" back then, I guess.
So basically, this thread kind of caught my attention and I was hoping someone would post in response. By reviving it, I hope someone out there can. Just wondering, like the original poster.........
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-03-12 16:30
Funny you should say that. I had a serious "crush" on the original Concerto some 10 years ago. After taking a trial horn to a rehearsal it was quite clear that the sound was NOT going to compete (alright, blend) with a section of Buffets, so I opted out.
Nice sound though.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2010-03-12 21:09
I have a Leblanc Opus from the Army Band that I currently work for as a reservist.
This is merely my opinion. Some superior clarinetists played on these and still do.
Pros:
Excellent pitch (easy to play in tune with piano especially)
Even sound throughout all registers
Good response
Cons:
Sound is inflexible, and difficult to mutate.
As Paul said, it doesn't really work in a section full of Buffet players. This type of sonority just doesn't blend well with those instruments.
Since we've had them for about ten years, I made the recommendation that we loose the Leblancs and replace them with Buffets. I seriously hope this happens.
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-03-12 21:41
Larry Combs played Opus for many years. Has he switched?
Ken Shaw
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Author: BobD
Date: 2010-03-12 22:14
OK, everyone pick up a rock, we're going to stone the Concertos and Opuses.
Bob Draznik
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-03-12 22:48
"Here is a list of Leblanc "artists":
http://www.leblancclarinets.com/players.php
Wheither they still actually play them on the gig is the question.........(??)"
I don't think any of them play the above mentioned models except for Combs...if he switched to a Backun model of some sort.
Post Edited (2010-03-12 22:50)
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2010-03-12 23:02
Well let me add my stone (rather boulder).
I may have been one of the first to play an Opus in 1991 soon after they came off the assembly line. When I bought my Bb they still did not make As.
They were even, but had a very hard time getting up to pitch (A-442 is the norm here in Chicago). And they were inflexible.
I will never forget playing them for Mr. Marcellus. He asked to try them. He played a few notes and handed them back to me. He gave me his opinion in one word......"Dead".
Reminds me of the Stokowski story when he conducted the NYPO as a guest when Avery Fisher Hall first opened. After the first two chords of the opening of the Eroica and he stops and tells someone....."tear it down and start over."
And they basically did about 40 years later.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2010-03-13 07:32
I still have a Leblanc Concerto as my A clarinet (R13 Bb). It was purchased from IMS 'back in the day' so it's a very good one. I even had it overhauled recently and it plays like a dream.
I agree with all of the above though. Despite being an amazing instrument, it just can't be very flexible or colourful with sound. I'd sell it and get an R13 but nobody's going to buy it in a hurry nor pay a decent price for it.
I will eventually replace it and it will become a spare, which is unfortunate for such a beautiful instrument, seems like a real waste.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2010-03-13 14:49
"It was purchased from IMS 'back in the day' so it's a very good one."
Ah yes, one of the famous "hand selected" ones.....
Bob Draznik
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2010-03-13 16:56
Sarcasm not appreciated nor called for thanks. You haven't tried my instrument so you don't know what it's like, do you. For what it's worth I still continue to buy my instruments from Lisa.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-03-13 17:06
Dear Chris Nichols,
Hey, there was the story floated that the Field Band outfitted the whole section with Opus's and canned them in just a few rehearsal/performances because of the soft key work.
Did your band get a cache of those?
.......................Paul Aviles
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Author: winthropguy
Date: 2010-03-13 18:50
I play on one of the original Concertos and love it... please don't stone the poor thing (or me, for that matter) - I can't afford a new instrument right now!
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