La Clarinette Basse

[snyprrr]

Anyone care to talk about the bass clarinet repertoire? I was just wondering when this instrument actually emerged from the background. Of the top of my head, I can't think of any 'point-to-this' piece, other than Dialogue de l'Ombre Double by Boulez. It's from 1985, so, I'm wondering if that's when the b-cl became 'cool?

Is there a first bass clarinet concerto?



I seem to have little pieces strewn throughout the post-'60s-'70s section of my Library: Marc Monnet, Xenakis, Donatoni, Dusapin,... the usual type suspects. Perhaps Karl has a piece? (yes, yes, I know,...however, maybe we could use some more solo bass clarinet pieces )

I really enjoy Echange (1989) by Xenakis, a bass clarinet concerto of immense cosmic darkness. I think it is certainly his darkest work, along with Horos and a couple of the last pieces.

Feldman has Bass Clarinet & Percussion (1979), short for him @20mins.

Isn't there a DG/Stockhausen disc for bass clarinet?

Obviously, Scelsi's Maknongan has some b-cl recordings.

Donatoni, Dusapin, Proeve,... I'm sure the list goes on and on. As far as players, all I can think of are Damiens and Lowenstern. Karl, is this your bag?

Cato? (or was it Catison?)

[karlhenning]

La clarinette (just saying).

I do have a piece for bass clarinet & percussion, Angular Whimsies (Heavy Paint Manipulation).  Still hoping for a performance.

[Brahmsian]

Love the sound bass clarinet.  I am hoping my wife takes it up again (she played it and loved it in high school).

Bass clarinet, along the viola, are my favorite outcasts of classical instruments! 

[karlhenning]

Hm, a bass clarinet and viola duet would be sweet.

[Florestan]

Wasn't Mozart's Concerto originally written for the bass clarinet?

[karlhenning]

Woof!

(Sorry — had to!)

[Brahmsian]

Wasn't Mozart's Concerto originally written for the bass clarinet?

Interesting.  I didn't even know the bass clarinet existed in Mozart's time.

[springrite]

I have a CD of bass clarinet music, all 20th century stuff that's lovely. I need to dig that one out for a spin.

[Florestan]

Interesting.  I didn't even know the bass clarinet existed in Mozart's time.

Actually I think I've even heard a bass clarinet version. I'll dig it out asap and post it here.

[Brahmsian]

Actually I think I've even heard a bass clarinet version. I'll dig it out asap and post it here.

Oooh, yes please do!  That would something very worthy to hear.

[karlhenning]

No, Mozart did not write it for a bass clarinet, but a clarinet with an extended low range, dubbed a "basset clarinet" (cf. basset horn).

[karlhenning]

Woof!

(Sorry — had to!)

Gosh, my silly post made more sense when Andrei's post read basset . . . .

[Brahmsian]

"basset clarinet" (cf. basset horn).

Sometimes, close enough doesn't count.  Case in point:

[Florestan]

No, Mozart did not write it for a bass clarinet, but a clarinet with an extended low range, dubbed a "basset clarinet" (cf. basset horn).

Yes, "basset" is what I meant...

Damn Youtube for their copyright policy --- they have removed the only basset version I've ever heard.  Sorry, Ray...

[Brahmsian]

Yes, "basset" is what I meant...

Damn Youtube for their copyright policy --- they have removed the only basset version I've ever heard.  Sorry, Ray...

Aw schucks.  Oh well, it wasn't meant to be.    Maybe a bass clarinettist will be ambitious and record Brahms' sublime clarinet works. 

[Florestan]

Aw schucks.  Oh well, it wasn't meant to be.    Maybe a bass clarinettist will be ambitious and record Brahms' sublime clarinet works. 

Yeah, I'd be curious as well, only in this case it wouldn't be the original, as they were written for "Fraulein Klarinette".   

[listener]

nice collection on Channel Classics CCD 026
Schoeck, Othmar
Heucke, Stefan
Hindemith, Paul
Sluka, Lubos
Rehak, Václav
Söll, Burkhardt

[some guy]

One word:

TIM HODGKINSON

[pjme]

And Harry Sparnaay, ofcourse.

http://www.harrysparnaay.info/
P.

[some guy]

Well, it wasn't "of course" for me. And so I thank you very much for bringing this guy to my attention.

Bass clarinet has long been one of my favorite instruments, and Harry's discography looks very tasty indeed!