Topic: Old Musical Instruments & Modern Reproductions!

[Gurn Blanston]

I have no idea why this thread presented as 'Locked'. I am unlocking it, have a go at it!

Gurn 

[SonicMan46]

Eric Hoeprich - clarinet virtuoso on period instruments, teacher, maker of his own period instruments, and author - brief beginning bio quoted below (see link for more) - astounding career.  I recently purchased the two Crusell CDs shown below (although I own other discs w/ him) - he plays his own personally made period reproduction clarinets on these recordings. Also, wrote the book The Clarinet (Yale University Press, 2008) but is listed at a ridiculous price on Amazon - will do some searching - likely a good read from the comments on Amazon!

SO, if you're into classical clarinet music, especially played on period instruments (restored ones or reproductions), then Hoeprich is worth exploring.  Dave

Eric Hoeprich is one of the world's leading exponents of the historical clarinet. He was born in Baltimore, MD, and has an honors degree in philosophy from Harvard. He teaches at the Paris Conservatoire, Indiana University’s Early Music Institute, and the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. For the past thirty years he has specialized in performing on the historical clarinet. His expertise as a musician, scholar, and instrument maker allows for a unique approach to the solo clarinet repertoire of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. (Source)

 

 

[bioluminescentsquid]

I know nothing about historical clarinets, what's the funny looking clarinet (?) he's holding?

[Gurn Blanston]

I know nothing about historical clarinets, what's the funny looking clarinet (?) he's holding?

It's a basset clarinet. It was invented in 1788 by Lotz, the premier clarinet maker of his time. It has 2 more (lower) tones than a regular clarinet. Not to be confused with a basset horn. There have been many shapes and sizes since that first one, but they all are the same instrument it terms of range and tone.

[SonicMan46]

I know nothing about historical clarinets, what's the funny looking clarinet (?) he's holding?

Well, that is a form of a basset clarinet (see quote below and check link for a more thorough explanation); basically, plays some lower notes - the classical clarinet player, Anton Stadler inspired Mozart to write some beautiful pieces for the instrument, including his Clarinet Concerto & Quintet - check back in this thread - I'm sure there is further discussion and likely some CD recommendations; but if you are interested in obtaining some recordings of 'historic' basset clarinet playing (as held by Hoeprich), then just ask.  Dave

The basset clarinet is a clarinet similar to the usual soprano clarinet but longer and with additional keys to enable playing several additional lower notes. Typically a basset clarinet has keywork going to a low (written) C or B,[1][2] as opposed to the standard clarinet's E or E♭. The basset clarinet is most commonly a transposing instrument in A, although basset clarinets in C and B♭ and very seldom in G also exist.[3] The similarly named basset horn is also a clarinet with extended lower range, but is in a lower pitch (typically F); the basset horn predates, and undoubtedly inspired, the basset clarinet. (Source)

[bioluminescentsquid]

Well, that is a form of a basset clarinet (see quote below and check link for a more thorough explanation); basically, plays some lower notes - the classical clarinet player, Anton Stadler inspired Mozart to write some beautiful pieces for the instrument, including his Clarinet Concerto & Quintet - check back in this thread - I'm sure there is further discussion and likely some CD recommendations; but if you are interested in obtaining some recordings of 'historic' basset clarinet playing (as held by Hoeprich), then just ask.  Dave

It's a basset clarinet. It was invented in 1788 by Lotz, the premier clarinet maker of his time. It has 2 more (lower) tones than a regular clarinet. Not to be confused with a basset horn. There have been many shapes and sizes since that first one, but they all are the same instrument it terms of range and tone.

Thank you both!

[Szykneij]

Thanks to Gurn for reopening this thread. Re-reading the entire thing brought back some forgotten memories. Now that I have more time in my retirement, I can focus on some neglected interests. Below is a candidate for my next restoration project with background music provided by zither and cimbalom.

[Szykneij]

I posted this in the "Music and Mail" thread, but I think it deserves a place here.

[SonicMan46]

Thanks to Gurn for reopening this thread. Re-reading the entire thing brought back some forgotten memories. Now that I have more time in my retirement, I can focus on some neglected interests. Below is a candidate for my next restoration project with background music provided by zither and cimbalom.

Hi Tony - first, enjoy your entirement!    Second, glad to see some activity in this thread again.  Should be a fun project - good luck!  Dave

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Sorry, I'm having trouble finding the post, but to the poster wanting to find a copy of Eric Hoeprich's book on the clarinet, I would suggest contacting Yale University Press directly and asking them whether or not they have more plans on printing more copies of his book.  Also, for example, I wanted to and managed to get a copy of an Oxford University Press book by Michael Kennedy on Vaughan Williams.  It turned out that they have a kind of print-on-demand.  It was a paperback copy for I think $35?

I did see the (Horribly high) amounts asked for online; even if they don't currently have a print-on-demand possibility, I suspect that if they heard more from people interested in this book that they might consider it.  Just a suggestion.

PD

p.s.  The original hard cover copy is listed at $50 and out-of-stock on their website as of now.

[SonicMan46]

Sorry, I'm having trouble finding the post, but to the poster wanting to find a copy of Eric Hoeprich's book on the clarinet, I would suggest contacting Yale University Press directly and asking them whether or not they have more plans on printing more copies of his book.  Also, for example, I wanted to and managed to get a copy of an Oxford University Press book by Michael Kennedy on Vaughan Williams.  It turned out that they have a kind of print-on-demand.  It was a paperback copy for I think $35?

I did see the (Horribly high) amounts asked for online; even if they don't currently have a print-on-demand possibility, I suspect that if they heard more from people interested in this book that they might consider it.  Just a suggestion.

PD

p.s.  The original hard cover copy is listed at $50 and out-of-stock on their website as of now.

Thanks PD for your comments - I was the one who posted about the book on the clarinet.  I've been to the Yale University Press website and saw the OOP notification and the $50 price - did not leave an email but will do; also Eric Hoeprich has an email address at Indiana University (where he teaches - assume periodically) which I might get his input if he replies?  My wife has gotten me a number of borrowed books in North Carolina by using the inter-library loan options - she's working on it now - we have a lot of musical university programs here and many likely have the book.  Dave

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thanks PD for your comments - I was the one who posted about the book on the clarinet.  I've been to the Yale University Press website and saw the OOP notification and the $50 price - did not leave an email but will do; also Eric Hoeprich has an email address at Indiana University (where he teaches - assume periodically) which I might get his input if he replies?  My wife has gotten me a number of borrowed books in North Carolina by using the inter-library loan options - she's working on it now - we have a lot of musical university programs here and many likely have the book.  Dave

You're welcome!  And let us know how your quest turns out. 

PD

p.s.  And isn't inter-library loan great!  And a big hand to all of the librarians working hard to fulfill all of our book/dvd/cd, etc. needs (and a lot of them just being 'wants') during a pandemic!