 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Michael
Date: 2003-08-08 14:16
I was wondering if anyone here has ever performed Verdi's Macbeth?? My
orchestra is performing this piece and I have been informed that it is one of the hardest in terms of transposition (though I have never played the piece before now). One clarinetitst even went so far as to suggest purchasing/borrowing a C-Clarinet for the piece because the transposition is that bad!
I was hoping that anyone who has performed this opera, or who has knowledge on the above, could provide some info. Is the transposition really that bad? If so, are there any acceptable C-clarinet models out there? Any help would be greatly appreciated...........
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-08-08 18:40
There is a fairly wide assortment of C clarinets available from intermediate models to pricy pro models. I have a Leblanc Esprit in C that is a nice little horn. C clarinets tend to be brighter than Bb clarinets but they have an easy response and are fun to play.
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Author: Bob Schwab
Date: 2003-08-08 19:30
OK. What's a C clarinet? Does it play in the same key as a piano? If so, why don't we play them instead of b flat clarinets
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-08-08 22:13
I don't know whether you are attempting the transposition on a Bb or an A. Up a line or space (minor 3rd) can sometimes be easier when transposing C parts.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-08-08 22:32
Bob,
Yes, a C clarinet is in the same key as a piano. It was the standard pitched clarinet at one time (talkin' maybe a couple centuries ago), but the timbre was too bright. So it was lengthened to darken the tone. But the fingerings and note assignments were kept the same. And that evolved into the standard Bb clarinet of today and all the transposing we sometimes do.
/one of the many things I've learned here
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2003-08-08 22:33)
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Author: Michael
Date: 2003-08-08 23:20
Concerning the Verdi opera itself, is anyone on he board familiar with it and if so, any thoughts on the composition's transposition and supposed difficulty? Thanks!
[ Your original questions were quite clear. If you did not receive all the answers you were looking for, perhaps no one has familiarity with the opera. It is not necessary to ask the same question again ...GBK ]
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-08-16 15:48
I've played 'Macbeth' quite a lot. The parts for C clarinet are quite tricky to play on the B-flat, but not impossible. You just need to spend a bit of time practising. It will be good for your technique and your transposition.
Besides ease of playing, I think a more important issue is the tonal quality of the C clarient versus the B-flat. A lot of the parts for C clarinet are used in the witches choruses, and the moe strident sound of the C clarinet adds to the demonic character of the music. C clarinet also blends better with the oboe in these very articulated sections.
However, you'll have to spend quite some time working on your intonation with the C clarinet.
So, either way you'll have work to do! But it is fantastic music, and one of my favourite Verdi operas. Enjoy!
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2003-08-18 13:44
I've had good results with the C clarinet made by Patricola.
One thing to remember about the C clarinet is some makes need a true C clarinet mouthpiece instead of a Bb. Otherwise, intonation can be problematic. Ralph Morgan makes a C clarinet mouthpiece. I found that it worked much better on my Buffet C clarinet than a Bb mouthpiece.
Interestingly, a Bb clarinet mouthpiece can be used successfully on a Patricola C clarinet. This is something that I checked out with the Patricola company before I ordered the instrument. When the clarinet arrived I tested it with both C and Bb mouthpieces. The Bb mouthpiece worked much better.
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