 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Elsie
Date: 2003-09-26 15:07
I came across a worn mouthpiece that looks like it has the name Russianoff written across the bottom. Above the name is stamped < ff >. Any ideas what this could be?
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-09-26 17:01
This was a mouthpiece marketed by the clarinet teacher Leon Russianoff. I seem to recall them being made around the late 1970's/early 80's. I really don't recall if there was anything special about them (blank, design, etc) or just something marketed under Leon's name. I don't think they were around for too long.
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2003-09-26 17:21
And Russianoff, it is reported, not only taught the clarinet, but nurtured the souls of his students by paring them with potential spouses who could accompany them on the piano. Stanley Drucker is one of his prize students.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-09-27 18:02
Hi Elsie,
If the mouthpiece is in good condition, you may have come across a (minor) treasure. As you may know Leon Russianoff was a near legendary teacher. His second methods book, now out-of-print (unless efforts to resurrect it have finally been successful), is highly sought-after. As I recall, there was some discussion of his mouthpieces awhile ago in the Klarinet list. You might want to search the Klarinet archives (link is on the home page of this sight) for "russianoff" without the quotes for comments more reliable than my memory. (You can also search the bulletin board archives for a number of comments on him as a teacher.) If my memory is correct, however, Russianoff did not sell his mouthpieces. Rather, he made them for some of his students -- who prized them highly. Assuming his production was thus relatively small, it seems likely to me that his work was limited to facing a blank, rather than making his own blank or doing work on the chamber, baffle, etc., but this is purely speculation on my part. I don't know what kind of blank he used (and it may have varied) but I think it was high-quality and would not be surprised to learn it was Chedeville.
I have one that came with a clarinet I bought on eBay a few years ago. I use it as a back-up and I like it very much. I don't follow eBay as closely as I used to so there may have been a few relatively recent sales. Personally, however, I have only seen one and that was a few years ago. As I recall, it was in fine condition and brought around $150.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-09-28 12:11
My memory of the mouthpiece is different. This was a mouthpiece that Leon was selling at the time. To my recollection, I don't think he did any type of mouthpiece work. I studied with him during this period and worked in his store.
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Author: Jack1st
Date: 2007-06-09 02:12
Elsie, I wish to speak with you about something regarding your Russianoff mouthpiece. Please contact me at Jack1st@msn.com
Jack1st
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-06-09 02:19
Jack1st wrote:
> Elsie, I wish to speak with you about something regarding your
> Russianoff mouthpiece. Please contact me at Jack1st@msn.com
[ Just to let you know - this thread is almost 4 years old - GBK ]
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Author: Jack1st
Date: 2007-06-09 11:11
Re: Just to let you know - this thread is almost 4 years old - GBK
Does anybody know how I may be able to contact Elsie?
Jack1st
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2007-06-09 12:49
I had one, and it was VERY good, esp. after Terry Guidetti refaced it.
It seemed to be a fine french blank.
A performance major in need of an upgrade obtained it via my teacher (who was kind enough to go hunting for a good mouthpiece at a nice price for her)
From what I hear, she loves it.
So, if Elsie is still extant, she may indeed have a wonderful mouthpiece.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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