 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-23 20:04
If you've tried the new Leblanc Symphonie VII, I'd like your opinion. Or, if you've tried another rosewood clarinet, let's take a look at their strengths--weaknesses, etc.
I own a Symphonie VII and I find myself loving it one day and wanting to sell it the next when I can't get the volume I want from it--even with my Kaspar Cicero mouthpiece and other things that normally work. Also, it is a bit "thin" in the upper registers--kind of like my old Buffet R-13 Prestige.
Who has tried one?
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-04-23 20:35
Brenda -
I haven't tried a Symphonie VII, but I've heard Ricardo Morales play one, and he filled the room with sound. I'm told he uses *very* hard reeds....
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-23 21:09
Along with a stack of mouthpiece patches ...
The proverbial "popsicle stick" reed setup.
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Author: Mario
Date: 2001-04-23 21:33
I have two rosewood Rossi's. They play extremely well (color, response, intonation, AND volume).
I remember discussing with Mr. Rossi in OK last Summer. I sort of remember him telling me that, over time, he seems to be getting regular comments from his customers to the effect that his rosewood clarinets might have something special (projection, resonance, volume). This is counter intuitive since rosewood is not the most dense wood used for his exceptional instruments.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-23 22:04
The grenadilla wood clarinets certainly have a darker tone due to the more compact wood, but the rosewood is really lyrical and sweet. Perhaps I should try the stronger reed set up as Mark mentioned.
The key action and intonation is absolutely dead-on! And, talk about beauty---the Symphonie VII is a magnificent work of art! My only complaint is the volume thing-----popsicle sticks, huh?
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Author: William
Date: 2001-04-23 22:11
Just a thought--the problem could be with your Kaspar and reed set-up as you said that it "changes" from one day to the next. My experiance with Kaspar mouthpieces has been that they sound a bit on the thin side up close, but quite resonant from farther away, as from the audience perspective. Kaspars are also more "reed sensitive" and require more adjustment for optimum sound projection. The only rosewood clarinet that I have tried was a Bb "American" bore Rossi, and I liked everything about the way it played in the trial studio. Wish I could try one "on the job." You are fortunate to have a VII. Good clarineting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-23 23:01
I've talked with Ricardo and seen his setup. His reeds are the stiffest I've ever seen and he has 5 (!) thick patches on his mouthpiece. If you look at the pictures of him you'll see the callus on his lower lip. Kind of resembles the "smooshed" lips of a lead trumpet player ...
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2001-04-24 03:44
I have never tried the Leblanc but have played many other rosewood instruments such as Hammerschmidt's and have found no significant difference in volume or projection compared to grendilla. Try all the usual cures, mouthpiece, lig, reed they may not suit the particular horn you are trying to play. I actullay use a rosewood English Horn and it is a little louder than the average.
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2001-04-24 09:45
I tried a Patricola rosewood clarinet a few weeks ago in orchestra. I didn't like it, which doesn't mean much other than I didn't consider it better than the instrument I own. It is now off my Christmas wish list. I thought the intonation was a bit suspect, particularly in the throat tones, and I did not like the sound. Having said that, our principal oboiest plays on a rosewood patricola and it sounds fantastic. (for an oboe, that is).
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-24 13:16
I'll try the stiffer reed suggestion, Mark. I've tried lots and lots of different mouthpieces, Pyne, Bay, Fobes, the Larry Combs that came with it, and now the Kaspar Cicero 13. The Kaspar and the Fobes have been the best two so far. I hadn't thought about the fact that it may be sounding better from a distance. I'll have someone listen and help me with that.
I guess I'm just "atuned" to the dark Opus sound and really prefer that. I haven't heard Ricardo Morales play his, but I'm sure it's wonderful. Of course, I'm not sure my lips could handle such an extreme set-up. I wonder if he's still using a Pyne Bel Canto mouthpiece and if that's the mouthpiece he uses on his Symphonie VII.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-24 13:19
Brenda Siewert wrote:
> I wonder if he's still using a
> Pyne Bel Canto mouthpiece and if that's the mouthpiece he uses
> on his Symphonie VII.
I'll ask Jim.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-24 17:44
<<Ricardo is still using the Bel Canto.>> hmmm. Maybe I should try one. But, I've spent so much money on mouthpieces lately that I just don't think I can do that.
I wonder how much Ricardo uses the Symphonie VII. I've heard he plays Buffets and other clarinets as well. Of course, all professional and semi-professionals have more than one clarinet--so that doesn't mean anything. I just wonder if the Symphonie VII has replaced his love for his Opus.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-24 23:19
Actually he plays a Buffet Festival Greenline more often than not - at least he was earlier this year.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-25 01:57
Greenline, huh? That's interesting. Does he have recordings? I'm sure he must. I'd love to hear him.
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Author: graham
Date: 2001-04-25 07:22
Thanks for the info re Ricardo, Mark, as i have been wondering who that fantastic sounding clarinetist was when listening to Met broadcasts. But is it always him, or does any other player sometimes take over?
I am amazed he plays on a hard set up, as it all sounds so effortless and fluid. He goes near the top of my list of favoured players. Any solo CDs?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-25 13:06
graham wrote:
> But is it always him, or does any
> other player sometimes take over?
AFAIK it's always him.
> I am amazed he plays on a hard set up, as it all sounds so
> effortless and fluid. He goes near the top of my list of
> favoured players. Any solo CDs?
I've never seen any CDs featuring Ricardo.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-25 14:17
Gotta get that boy a publisher! Get those CDs!!!
I listed the Symphonie VII on the classifieds last night. I'm going to stick to my Opus and LL.
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