The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-05-11 03:37
Somehow it's taken me until now to discover that Mozart wrote a number of pieces for clarinet ensembles and basset horn duets/trios. My question is, in the absence of basset horn players, how are these pieces usually performed? On bass clarinets, alto clarinets? I'd like to get together an ensemble to play them sometime, but nobody I know plays basset horn.
I tried recording K411 with bass clarinets the other day just for fun, but the instrument I'm borrowing from my school is awful. Out of tune (right hand notes are really sharp), not sealing well so notes don't respond easily, etc. Anyways, if you can get past the bad bass clarinet playing, here's my recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cttC5d8ftDU
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-11 05:52
Actually very nice. I like the way you framed the shots AND they way you combined them.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-05-11 06:59
Thanks! I've experimented with different ways of filming multi-track video... My favorite was this one that I did last summer (hm my tone wasn't as good), but it's hard to get it just right.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2015-05-11 16:16
Mozart's small-ensemble clarinet works were written for Masonic rituals. (Mozart was an enthusiastic Mason.) K. 411 is a miniature masterpiece.
I thought your performance was pretty good, though, as you mention, the intonation was a bit sour.
At least one and probably two of the basset horn parts fit on the alto clarinet, but the BHs together have a unique sound.
There are many recordings on YouTube.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris_C ★2017
Date: 2015-05-11 21:54
Mozart's string quintets (K174 etc) work really well for clarinet choir...
Chris
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Author: davyd
Date: 2015-05-11 23:32
I've played the Voxman arrangement in clarinet choir. It can be done with either 3 Bbs/alto/bass, or as 4 Bbs/bass, either with optional contras. No doubt there are other similar arrangements of the piece.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2015-05-12 01:24
Some of us who own basset horns find that there are few opportunities to play them and there are few composers who write for them!
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-05-12 09:18
Ken Shaw: Thanks! One of these days I need to get ahold of a good bass clarinet to play on...
Wes: I think it's odd that there's not much music written for it outside of Mozart/Mendelssohn. It's a very nice instrument. I hope to get to try one some day.
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