 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-12-27 19:16
I promised to report back to the board when I got my new Leblanc Symphonie VII. I'm a bit late because we got word my mother-in-law was in critical condition about 30 min. after the clarinet arrived--so, I'm just now getting to play it. She is still in critical condition and won't recover (80 yrs. old), so I might not reply right away to the board because we're about to leave again and drive down to the hospital (a 3 hr. trip).
The instrument is the one Larry Combs demoed at the IMS clinic a few weeks ago, and Lisa Argiris (owner of IMS) commented that it was the finest Symphonie VII she had ever seen. It was favorably received by the people at the clinic (so I hear) as well as well liked by Mr. Combs (again, heresay). She had it adjusted like I like my instruments (smooth key action and clear tones on all notes), and shipped it out.
It is amazingly beautiful (Rosewood, you know) and has the most beautiful tone of any Rosewood instrument I've ever played. I used my Kaspar mouthpiece and my Greg Smith Grenadilla wood and ended up with the Smith wood. What a wonderously lyrical tone it has! Both upper registers have an amazingly pure, ringing--almost vocal quality--and the intonation is excellent--typical of the Opus and Symphonie VII clarinets.
It probably will do its first gig on "Amazing Grace" for my mother-in-law's funeral--ironically bittersweet.
If you are wanting an instrument for your one and only clarinet, this is probably not the one--you will still need one for a darker, more powerful sound--like my Greenline Buffet R-13. But, for solo stuff like "Amazing Grace," the Symphonie VII is "Spot on," as my British friends say.
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Author: Ft
Date: 2001-12-27 19:52
Sorry about your grandmother. Congrats for your new clarinet!!!!!!!!!
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-12-28 02:45
Brenda--i hope you will be able to get all the way to the end of Amazing Grace before you break up.
you take care and we will be in touch.
Gog Bless
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Author: William
Date: 2001-12-28 03:44
Congrats and Good Clarineting with your new VII, but I am curious--is this the same model LeBlanc that was made for Ricardo Moreles who eventually stopped using it in favor of the Buffets??
My condolences for your mother-in-laws illness. Ironically, the first (and hardest) "gig" I played with my (then) new Concerto Bb was at my mother-in-laws funeral just one week after picking it out at the LeBlanc facility in Kenosha. My selections were "Ave Maria" and "Danny Boy" (solo clarinet) as the casket was taken down the isle. I was more nervous for this performance than for any jury, recital or audition I ever played--but my new Concerto saved the day for me.
Get back to us when you can, with any new info you can provide regarding your new VII's performance. My deepest sympathy for you and your family. William
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Author: Josh
Date: 2001-12-28 15:23
Didn't Ricardo switch to Selmer after LeBlanc, not Buffet?
I second the sympathies for you and your family, Brenda, and I hope that your beautiful playing on your beautiful instrument will help to make this transition a little less painful for all of you. Best wishes...
Josh
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-12-30 14:06
Yes, the Symphonie VII was designed with some input from Ricardo Morales and he did play one for a while. But, Mark has kept up with his equipment better than I, and the last report was that the artist was using Selmer Signatures.
As to the Symphonie VII--it plays very well in tune and (as I mentioned before) has a wonderful tone.
The funeral went very well and I'm certain my mother-in-law would have been pleased with the music. Thanks for asking and for your kind remarks. She had been ill for a long, long time and everyone was relieved when she finally passed on.
Now, to take care of that ranch with those sheep----
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