Author: JTJC
Date: 2021-01-17 23:53
Historically, there was a solution to the ‘do I need an A clarinet’ dilemma. Manuel Gomez, the founding first clarinet in the London Symphony Orchestra, only ever played a Bb instrument. A full boehm I believe. All parts for Bb, A and C clarinet were played on his Bb. His technique was, apparently, phenomenal. He learnt to play like that in is home country, Spain, where it was standard practice (as in Southern Europe at the time, apparently).
Modern players take a different view. Andrew Marriner, the recently retired principal of the same orchestra, said (about 100 years after Gomez) how modern film composers generally write for Bb clarinet, so you have to be ready to transpose to the A. He also said to have a C clarinet to hand as well. Of course, the technical demands of the generally classical/diatonic repertoire Gomez was called upon to play can’t really be compared to the demands of the more recent stuff. However, players of that level seem to be able to do anything. With all respect to Gomez, Marriner is faced with far more demanding and relentless stream of compositions to play with very limited rehearsal time. Such are the demands on players in the UK.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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