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Re: Gino Cioffi Recordings/Videos

Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-06-13 23:29

Gary, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to buy a set of 1967 Selmers that once belonged to Gino Cioffi from one of his former pupils.

They're V-series Series 9* with consecutive serial numbers, each section is serial numbered and labelled A or Bb, and they have the same keywork configuration as my first ever set of Selmer CTs - 19 keys, 7 rings which was a bonus as that's what I'm used to.

Strange thing is there's a spare bell for the A (but not Bb) that the previous owner (his former pupil) sent to me after I bought them, but this extra bell has the European engraving (just the Selmer logo and 'Made in France' in small letters a little way beneath it), so I wonder if they originally came with the European spec bells and Gino had selected better bells them (and these have the export logo).

They are remarkable instruments in the choice of wood used, and the keywork is exquisite - they had been very well looked after although I stripped them down and rebuilt them both as they still had the original pads which had bulged.

The LH F/C key touches on both A and Bb were angled upwards instead of being completely straight (there was a bend in the touchpiece arms to raise the heads up), so not sure if this was done by Selmer or what. However, I straightened them out as they were too high for me and the LH F#/C# levers were in danger of clattering against the LH F/C heads.

These clarinets are the pride of my collection.

Here's part of an email I got from the previous owner of these Selmers not long after I paid for them and as they were about to be sent to me:

"Gino always had two or three sets with him, all made to his exact specifications - Selmer actually called his the "Cioffi Model." The idea was that if there was a problem with one clarinet, he could move to the other which handled exactly the same. He had stopped bringing them in, but sold one set to me when I started lessons with him. As I recall, it cost more than both my parents made in a month, so it was quite a sacrifice for them, bless them. He told me that mine was the last set of Cioffi models that was made. Frankly, Chris, I have only his word to go on - but I really don't doubt it. He had often stayed with the Selmer family during his travels, so had quite a good relationship with them. My parents were convinced to buy these for me by his statement that I would soon sound exactly like him. And I did. All in all, it was a good purchase. BTW, all the Cioffi models had consecutive serial numbers for the two instruments. Also, the wood is Brazilian rosewood (I know, that's very out of vogue right now). Gino told me that the wood was kept in the Selmer controlled humidity storage room for 12 years. The idea was to help the wood mature into a very stable condition. I've played at Tanglewood in 90+% humidity in the summer, and in dry cold concert halls in the winters - and other than having to adjust to keep the 442 A, the instruments always sounded the same."

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2010-06-13 23:49)

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