 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Mags1957
Date: 2006-11-29 12:03
Well, I've played the Lyrique "A" for 3 days now, and here are my initial impressions:
The sound is very dark and covered, very "dense" if you will. The tone has been described (by my students and colleagues) as "sweet" if not as robust as I usually sound (although they were comparing to my Bb, not another A) The horn blows SO easily in the altissimo that it's frightening. Notes don't "pop" when you change registers - if you play a thumb F pianississimo and lightly hit the register key, a perfect C come out - no grunting or noise at all. The resistance feels great and it's a very comfortable horn to blow. The low E-F and middle B-C really center well - they are some of the best sounds on the horn. The horn was set up very well, no clicking keys or stuffy notes.
The keywork will take a bit of getting used to. The c#/g# key is a bit more to the left than I'm used to, ditto for the left hand e/b key. It plays as well in tune as any A I've owned (I've had an R-13, an R-13 prestige, and a Yamaha A), but for me and my current set-up, the tuning is good, not extraordinary (the low F is still flat, at least with my set-up, although the clarion B and C are nicer than usual). I wish it had silver keys, although I understand why it doesn't.
Bottom line (for me): It's definately a pro horn, no question. I'm pretty confident that with enough searching I could find an R-13, Leblanc, Selmer, or Yamaha that I like as well. Does it blow those other pro horns away? No. Does it belong in the same category? Yes. There are things about it I like better than those horns, some things not quite as well. I think the main benefit of the horn is not the way it sounds (it sounds as good as, but not better than those other horns listed, IMO), but the way it feels. The blowing resistance is the most even of any horn I've ever played - A OR Bb. Tricky passages (especially those involving the upper registers) are more facile. That little squawk that you sometimes get (at least I do) when going from an altissimo note down to a clarion note (i.e. D to B) is just completely gone! The clarinet is a joy to play, and my chops don't feel as beat up after a few hours.
I will be recommending the Lyrique's to my students, many of whom are ready for a better horn, but can't afford a $3000 clarinet. You can get a matched A and Bb for $1795. Maybe the $6000-$8000 (or higher) set of whatever plays better for you- maybe not. But anyone in the market for a new clarinet should definately check out the Lyriques with an open mind- what do you have to lose?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jmcgann
Date: 2006-11-29 13:08
Thanks, great to hear about this interesting horn!
www.johnmcgann.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2006-11-29 15:08
Great review--thanks!!
Two questions: 1) who is the manufacturer? & 2) how did it perform in an ensemble setting (orchestra, band, etc)? Often, an instrument that sounds good and plays well in the studio just does not hold up in the real playing venue.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: spartanclarinet
Date: 2006-11-29 18:06
Thanks for your review. It is interesting to hear about these clarinets in the wild. Have you had a chance to play it in a variety of situations yet, i.e. with piano, in chamber music, in orchestra? I would be interested to hear how these clarinets feel/sound in various settings.
By the way, are you able to ascertain who makes these for Tom? Do you know if they are manufactured in the US, France, China..... I guess he doesn't make them himself, but finishes and fits them instead, correct?
Justin O'Dell
http://web.mac.com/clarinetquintet/iWeb/MSUClarinetStudio/MSU.html
http://www.music.msu.edu/people/detail.php?id=83
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mags1957
Date: 2006-11-29 19:34
A few more answers:
1) I have not used the Lyrique in an ensemble setting yet. It seems to have a lot of center to the tone, and I expect it will carry very well and hold it's own.
2) Tom Ridenour's website is the best place to get all the info on the horn as far as where it's manufactured, etc. go to ridenourclarinetproducts.com
3) I used a Backun / Morales Orchestra mouthpiece, and also tried it with a Hawkins. Both were fine - the Backun is a little more open, so perhaps a bit bigger of a sound. The Hawkins produces a very velvety tone, very centered.
4) This was just my initial impression of the clarinet - I will post again after I have played it in a variety of situations, compared it directly against my students' R-13 A's, etc. more to come.................
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mags1957
Date: 2006-12-01 00:02
Oh, yeah....one more thing. On the Lyrique, the upper joint pads are cork (my preference). Tom didn't ask my preference - I guess that's just how they come. For those of you who don't like cork, for whatever reason, maybe there's another option.....or not.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
