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Re: Strauss Alpine Symphony

Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2021-10-21 03:08

Alphie,

Resurrecting this long mummified thread out of intrigue- I'd like to ask this question:
In the scenario that a C clarinet is unobtainable(or whatever odd reason it had to be subbed by a clarinet in another key), do you think it's more preferable to to sub it with an Eb than a Bb?

The reason why I've asked this is that the C's part in the Alpine Symphony actually lies closer to the Eb's and frequently doubles the latter's, though some of it is also in unison of the Bb parts as well as the flutes, oboes and the high strings. So in this sense it seems that subbing it with a 2nd Eb clarinet seems like a better choice in terms of the register of the instrument and the color of most of the passages, though there is one passage at Rehearsal Mark 127 that descends below the Eb's range. However, transposing it for a Bb clarinet makes even less sense here IMO, as the C's part is frequently at its lower altissimo range and in unison with the Eb, and higher than Bbs 1-2. Of course a C clarinet would be the most ideal, but I think transposing that part for a 2nd Eb would be a good backup option, though I know it's far from easy switching between bass & Eb, unless you get a seperate bass clarinetist(as observed in certain live performances by German orchestras) from the C/sub Eb player!

Josh

Post Edited (2021-10-23 03:27)

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