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Klarinet Archive - Posting 001072.txt from 1997/09

From: "Dan Leeson:>
Subj: E-flat clarinets/cornets in band music
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 21:31:52 -0400

I must have missed the beginning of this thread and it took me
some time to come to grips with the basic argument which, I
think, is this: the E-flat clarinet has no particular function
or purpose in a band.

Now if that is not what is meant, then I apologize and can go
back to studying my navel. But if it is what is intended, I
simply cannot understand how one can come to that conclusion.
The character of the instrument is so unique that, without it,
major works of the wind band repertoire would be impacted.
I refer to the Hindemith B-flat symphony, the Schoenberg
Opus 43a, Stravinsky's Circus Polka, and others.

Now it may be the tail wagging the dog and the presence of
the instrument caused those composers to create parts
which are idiomatically performed (and performable) only
on E-flat clarinet. Let me clarify that a little better.
Such parts could indeed be done on flute or piccolo, but
I presume the composer wanted the characteristic sound of
an E-flat clarinet and thus scored it that way.

As for cornets, I was the bass clarinet player with the
New Sousa Band and the brass section always carried both
trumpets and cornets as different choirs.

My ear is not sensitive enough any longer (maybe it never
was) to distinguish between the sound of a brass instrument
with a cylindrical bore and one with a conical bore
(viz a viz the trumpet and the cornet), but I suggest that
there is one.

I apologize in advance if I have misunderstood the
thrust of this thread.

Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California

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