the clarinet family family.pdf · although the bœhm system clarinet in bb is the most widely known...
TRANSCRIPT
Although the Bœhm system clarinet in Bb is the most widelyknown member of the clarinet family, it also has a number ofcousins that share the limelight with contemporary musicians today.
Here we take a look at the clarinet family, from the highest to the lowest voice.
Sopraninoclarinet
in Ab
Now acuriosity in
itself, thisinstrument isvery rare and
one of themost highly
prized piecesamong
collectors. Itsuse, however,
was largelylimited to
militarybands.
The clarinet family
Sopraninoclarinet in D
Also not forthe faint
hearted, thesopranino
clarinet in Dneverthelessfound favour
with Molter inhis concertos
and withRichard
Strauss in hissymphonic
poem TillEulenspiegel. It
has theadvantage of
being easier toplay than its
Ebcounterpart.
Clarinet in C
Increasinglycast aside byexperienced
players infavour of the
Bb, thisinstrument,
whichseduced
both FranzLiszt in Faust
(choralsymphony)
and RichardStrauss in
The Knight ofthe Rose, issometimesused as abeginner’s
instrument.
Sopraninoclarinet
in Eb
Bestremembered
for itscontributionto Berlioz’sSymphonie
Fantastique,this
instrumentdemands a
strongtechnique asits high notes
requirespecial
fingering. Itsstar quality?The perfect
resonance ofits high tones.
Clarinet in Bb
The mostcommonly
used.Combining
brilliance andeloquence with
a full andradiant sound,
it blendsperfectly with
both woodwindand string
instruments.Virtuoso and
faithfulcompanion ofsoloists fromthe worlds ofclassical, jazz
andcontemporary
music alike.
Clarinet in A
A favouriteamongst Bb
devoteeswho revel in
its warmintimacy
combinedwith an
exquisitesoftness and
beautifullydeep tone. It
is littlewonder thatthis clarinet
made itsmark in the
chambermusic of both
Mozart andBrahms.
Bassetclarinet in A
Similar indesign to the
clarinet in Abut with the
addedpossibility ofa low C, this
instrumentexcels inMozart’s
Quintet forclarinet and
strings,K 581.
However, itremains very
rare. Sop
rani
no c
larin
et in
G#
Sop
rani
no c
larin
et in
Eb
Sop
rani
no c
larin
et in
D
Cla
rinet
in C
Cla
rinet
in B
b
Cla
rinet
in A
Bas
s cl
arin
et in
A
two
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thre
eBasset horn
in F
Who wouldn’tthink of Mozart
and his Requiemwhen
considering thisinstrument that
was also afavourite of
Strauss andMassenet?
Previously bentin the middle,
today’s bassethorn is straight
in form and hasa metal neck.
Alto clarinetin Eb
The alto clarinetin Eb differs fromother clarinets in
its curvedmetal neck andbell, much like
the basset horn.It is a muchsought after
instrument and isparticularly
appreciated inchamber music.
Bass clarinetin Bb
This clarinet hasa curved neck
and a larger bell,while its
authoritative bassnotes combine
marvellously withthe wood and
string sections ofjazz and
contemporarymusic alike.
There are twobass models:
one going downto low Eb and
the other tolow C.
Contraltoclarinet in Eb
This clarinetdraws on all the
charms of itssuperbly smooth,
deep register,which gives it
exceptionalrange.
Unfortunately,however, it is all
too rarely used ina symphony
orchestra.
Contrabassclarinet in Bb
The shape of thisinstrument is what
sets it apart fromthe rest: folded back
on itself, it is 2.31metres long. Made
from metal andwood, it extends to
a low Bb bassoctave. Composers
are turning to itmore and more.B
asse
t hor
n in
F
Alto
cla
rinet
in E
b
Bas
s cl
arin
et in
Bb
Con
tralto
cla
rinet
in E
b
Con
traba
ss c
larin
et in
Bb
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