 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-07-02 05:25
This topic has been eating at me for a couple weeks now. The reasons being are; I'm a bit of a tech head when it comes to instruments, I play a number of them, my other "wind" instrument is Whistle, of which I have a lovely collection of Overtons. As a side note the whistle BB is just as fanaticle when it comes down to "What U play"....funny stuff.
More reasons are my recent acquisition of two items. One being the Self Portrait box set of Artie Shaw (my fav.) and a 1950 Buffet Bb.
I started listening to Artie the year I picked up the clarinet, in 91. I was looking for a new instrument and at the time I was into Woody Allen films, so I picked up the stick. Anyways, the same year Artie released his last recordings in full. The last (small) band he played in. These recording were made in 54. There were 2 sets realeased the first in 91 and the second in 93. Both sets contain 2 CD's.
Of all recorded clarinet music I have heard, and yes beyond any recording of Brahms op115, these Shaw recordings stand as the greatest testament to the clarinet. For me, mind you.
OK, to the point, on the liner notes of the Self Portrait Artie says he switched to a Buffet for the small group. If these recordings were made in 54, was he playing a Masterbore or R13 bore.
The years are close, but what I'd like is for those of you who are into this sort of thing, to use your ears, that is if you have the recordings, and post what you think.
As a side note, the 1950 Buffet, needs an overhaul, but the notes that play, anything beyond the low three pads, sound amazing, and blow very free. I'll post further when it is full working order.
OK just to keep the topic fun, I would like to hear others personal thoughts on Artie's playing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-07-02 05:36
I should add that the Self Portrait box set has one disc out of five that is soley devoted to these recordings.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John Gibson
Date: 2002-07-02 13:12
Jack...
I'm in complete agreement with you on Artie's playing. I don't think anyone comes close. No classical musician...jazz musician...
no one. Not even Benny Goodman. Artie was incredibly "one" with his music and clarinet.
I too have the Self Portrait box set. The Grammercy Five version of Stardust is so much different than his big band "hit". It's interesting to hear how relaxed he was in a small setting.
Not sure what model Buffet he used, but I bet Artie could use a cheap plastic clarinet and make it sound like a million dollar horn.
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-07-02 15:54
A while back, I made mention, somewhere here, re: an old article with playing pic of Artie, in "Woodwind Magazine" March 1949, rehearsing? w: Hershy Kay and Walter Hendl et al for a Philadelphia Academy of Music Concert April 3. Its title is "No Categories, Please", A S, really an interview discussing his philosophy, nothing about cls, tho! Magnifying the pic doesnt help identifying the cl tho. If there are biographies of Artie, perhaps this might help. Its quite lengthy. Yes he was great!! Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jez
Date: 2002-07-02 19:32
JackOrion,
Could you tell me where the whistle BB you refer to is to be found.
I too am a whistle player. I have a lovely Overton low D but currently favour an American plastic thing (can't remember the name) for the sop.
I'd be fascinated to see what people discuss.
jez
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-07-03 03:38
Jez you will have a ball. I have seen some heated threads there. A nice lot though. The site is Chiff and fipple. Use that for your key word search. You'll find it right away.
Thanks for the input Don, and John.
Would like to hear more. Any guesses what bore his Buffet might have been?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-07-03 21:13
Strictly guesswork, Jack ! #1, In the early '50's R. Carre of Buffet was experimenting [and developing] "modified" UJ bores for better tuning/resposnse characteristics. #2, I believe it was common practice then [and still now?] to "give/loan" newly developed cls to the best players [AS, BG and others? then] for their comments and recommendations before starting commercial production. SO, I [out on a Limb] GUESS the bore dimensions COULD have varied from the "standard" cylindrical [about 14.65 mm ??, please help me] to a "modified" polycylindrical/conical UJ. Who may know [or care]? Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: super20dan
Date: 2002-07-03 23:06
i have these cds and also agree this is the best example of jazz clarinet playing there is!as far as axes i am partial to the selmer bt/ct series for this type of playing
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
