Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-01-18 16:15
Chris -
I tried a Selmer Marchi System clarinet at the 1980 Clarinet Congress in London and have a copy of the pamphlet, which has a fingering chart.
The second register mechanism extended the altissimo down to A (overblowing low E and clarion long B) with good tone and intonation. This greatly eased those difficult solos that go over the clarion/altissimo break -- the slow movement of the Saint-Saens Sonata, the slow movement of the Beethoven 4th, Shepherd on the Rock.
The design was ingenious, but the instrument seemed to be a work in progress. I had trouble finding the third register using the extra mechanism, though I think I could have learned with practice. There was backlash in the keywork, though, and, like the "full" Mazzeo instrument, some of the keys needed heavy springing, which make the action uneven. Also, you couldn't pull the barrel out very much for tuning.
Selmers from that period don't suit me. The tone blares and lacks center. It might play for me with a custom barrel, but mounting the extra mechanism would be a problem. I remember not being fond of the Marchi's sound.
If Marchi is still around, I'm sure he plays it, but I've never seen or even or heard of one since 1980. If it ever went into production, it was quickly dropped. Where did you find the photos?
Ken Shaw
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The Clarinet BBoard
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