The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William
Date: 2001-12-23 17:19
How many of you own a D clarinet and, if so, what brand? Also, what music do you find it's use most helpful?? I've already heard from Greg Smith, just wondering about what anyone else's experiance may be. Thanks, Happy Holidays and Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Kim
Date: 2001-12-23 17:32
I don't own one, but I've been told that it's extremely useful to have for Till Eulenspiegel and Daphnis (playing E-flat parts on D).
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2001-12-23 19:23
My D is a Buffet R-13 (for whatever importance that might be to you).
In response to what Kim mentioned above, Till is scored for D clarinet, but is rarely played today on D except in the Germanic countries. Frankly, it's a tad bit more secure landing on that last high G, rather than the Ab on the D clarinet. As far as Daphnis is concerned, the "doodles" at the beginning (of the second suite) are definitely easier (translation = less stressful key!) on D than on Eb clarinet, but the rest of the piece is more playable (especially near the end) on Eb (my personal assessment, that is). However, "easier" or not at the beginning, I've always played the entire piece on the Eb. While somewhat complex, it is doable-and then you don't have to mess with two instruments!
A few other orchestral pieces you might want to know about (as far as the D clarinet is concerned) would be Strauss-Symphony Domestica; Stravinsky-Rite of Spring (alternates between Eb and D; the D parts are absolutely terrible and, yes, most play the entire piece on the Eb), Firebird (complete ballet, not the suite--also most often done on Eb, I believe) and Scherzo fantastique; Respighi-Feste Romana (last movement); Mahler-Fifth Symphony (very little) and Sixth Symphony (last movement, again mostly done on Eb) and Bartok-Miraculous Mandarin--to mention just a few!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-12-23 19:28
Yes...Having a D clarinet for Daphnis and Chloe would put you in C major, rather than B major with the Eb clarinet.
If you own a D clarinet (unfortunately I don't) one could play all 5 of the Molter Concerti in their original form.
The other important D clarinet orchestral parts that I vaguely can remember, aside from Till Eulenspiegel, are the: Respighi "Feste Romane", and Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" (1912 version), and "Firebird" (1910 version)
Of course there may be many others I can't recall right now. As I originally said, I just try to transpose (and rewrite) the D parts as needed, as I couldn't justify the expense of a D clarinet.
But...if you have the funds...GBK
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-12-23 19:38
I hadn't seen Larry's fine posting, as I was composing mine...GBK
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2001-12-23 23:19
In "The rite of spring " I find the first "fanfare" played on Eb to be too tiny sounding. The D gives a much more powerful sound with more bottom and pondus. I think there are good reasons to use D-clarinet where the composers have asked for it. For "Till" I find it proper to play it on D clarinet for the same reason since it's symbolizing Till himself. I have played it on both and I find the Eb to be too harsh and tiny in sound for the character of the music.
In January I'll get a chance to refresh my memory of Mahler 6th. I'll be back with comments from that experience.
For what reason is the D-cl. so rarely used in the U.S.? In European orchestras it's standard equipment. Not only to make the beginning of "Daphnes" easier.
Alphie
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