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Re: To Bb or not to Bb

Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2014-11-19 04:58

>> I'm sure the clarinets of Schumann's time were different from modern instruments. Have you played any originals or reproductions? I would think that the difference in tone quality would be greater than that between a modern Bb and A.>>

I've never played these pieces on clarinets of Schumann's time; but I have played all the symphonies and other orchestral pieces by Schumann on my Ottensteiner/Seggelkes. I'd say that the difference between Bb and A is similar to the difference between Bb and A on modern instruments. And actually, that's true of the classical instruments too.

I did once play the Fantasiestücke in concert on my A=430 Tauber/Bangham basset clarinet; that was just because my A=430 Simiot/Bangham A didn't work as well, I thought. The rest of the programme was Weber and something else with an early piano.

>> It's my understanding that #1 is often played on the Bb to avoid the two tricky upward slurs, Eb5 to Eb6 and E5 to C#6. These are much better on German system instruments.>>

Using T Ab oxx/oxo Eb (no speaker) or T Ab xxx/oxo Eb (no speaker) – depending on your instrument – works rather well for Eb6 on the French instrument, I find.

>> Also, I believe there's a low E3 somewhere, which would be out of range on the Bb.>>

The lowest note is Bb3 on the A.

Tony

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