 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-08-08 08:33
Hi
Someone just gave me this link so I thought I'll post it here too. Also I'm wondering what is that basset horn he is playing with wood neck (I'm guessing it is a German clarinet because he is German). Any ideas?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jTSxF-lMV4&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZIILmMmdsg&mode=related&search=
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Author: Danny Boy
Date: 2007-08-08 09:10
Thanks for that...
Hmmm, contra bassoon and double bass...interesting.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-08-08 16:20
This was an all-star group put together for a world tour by Daniel Barenboim. Principals included Gregor Witt, principal oboe of the Staatskapelle Berlin, Karl-Heinz Steffens, principal clarinet of the Berlin Philharmonic, Klaus Thunemann, the well-known solo bassoonist, and Dale Clevinger, principal horn of the Chicago Symphony, with members of Barenboim's West-Eastern Divan Orchestra.
Steffens plays an Oehler clarinet, of course, and the 2nd clarinetist plays a Boehm. Likewise, the 1st basset hornist plays an Oehler, with a bent wood barrel, and the 2nd plays a Boehm with a metal neck (and a crystal mouthpiece).
I thought it was a good but not great performance, with a number of slightly flubbed entrances and no even a clue about how original instruments sound or balance. Also, I really dislike a contrabassoon here. Mozart wrote the part for double bass, and it works perfectly that way, but hardly at all on contrabassoon.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-08-08 17:06
Ken Shaw is it common to use just double bass or contrabasson? I have a recording of this piece with Icelandic group and there tey use both double bass and contrabasson.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2007-08-08 17:37
It's been common to use either contrabassoon or double bass, but Mozart definitely intended the part to be played by double bass. The proof is found in pizzicato markings in the part - very difficult for a contra bassoon to pull off.
There's a recording (I forget which one now) that actually used both, though not together.
I think more contemporary performances tend towards using the original double bass. Probably out of fear of Dan Leeson.
One arguement for using the contra bassoon is that Mozart would have used it if a good one was available. But that's purely speculation. All we have is what Mozart wrote - and it's pretty good.
I'd also add that it is not uncommon to use a double bass in performing Mozart's other wind serenades (Eb and C minor). The double bass doubles the second bassoon part and it adds very nice depth to the sound. But Mozart didn't write a bass part or provide any direction for that - it's more a matter of performance practice.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-08-08 20:32
Although a double bass can make a similar kind of rasping 'grunt' a contra can, a contra can't make the full, round pizzicato sound as a double bass.
Though for solidarity in the sense of 'harmoniemusik', I prefer the use of a contra.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kfrank1
Date: 2007-08-10 00:45
I just listened a CD of this yesterday. The group was all woodwinds. I personally found it a little boring. Maybe a double bass would have made a difference.
[Edit] Actually I just checked and it does have a double bass. This is by Neville Marinner and the ASMF from '84.
Maybe I need to hear a live performance.
Post Edited (2007-08-10 17:33)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-08-10 01:06
kfrankel -
The Bb Serenade is one of Mozart's great masterpieces. Find the old Brymer/London Symphony winds recording and be amazed.
Ken Shaw
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2007-08-10 03:50
While I love the Gran Partita(I played it under Nicholas Harnoncourt in the E
U Youth Orchestra many years ago)...I also must admit I truly love the Haffner Serenade just as much. Alas it has no clarinets...
David Dow
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2007-08-10 16:13
A good performance of a magisterial work. But to watch them is to subject yourself to cruel and unusual punishment. They all seemed to be possessed by the "Showboat Devil"...maybe some exorcism would help, or someone could just put the dogs on them.
The clarinetist was particularly vile in his histrionics. It must be a form of professional insecurity...someone should tell them, "relax guys, we see you."
Clarinet Redux
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