OT: Another clarinet question

[motet]

Most of Puccini's operas were written for both Bb and A clarinet. But his last few are written exclusively for Bb clarinet, without key signatures.

Is this typical of orchestral music of the day (circa 1915 forward)? Do clarinettists today enjoy such practice, or would they prefer to switch back and forth between the two instruments for friendlier keys?

I found some written low E-flats and D-sharps for Bb clarinet. Did instruments of the day have this extra note?

[N Grossingink]

Have you run across this?:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Clarinet/comme ... eflat_key/

N.

[motet]

Thanks. I'm more interested, though, if players would prefer to switch or to stay on B flat clarinet and play in remote keys such as 5 or 6 sharps.

[Harpsi]

Personally, I would prefer switching if there is time for it. But I would also say that it might depend on the character of the music. Sometimes one or the other seems more suited to the mood and feel and the instrumentation around.

[robertstiffler]

Finale Folks
I am not a classically trained clarinet player. I have played clarinet in a small town symphony for about 20 years. Am now retired and living in a retirement “hhooommmeee”. Also have been using Finale for last 20 years.

In my opinion:

1. Writing a low Eb for a Bb clarinet today is never gonna happen. I have never seen a Bb clarinet with a low Eb nor have I ever seen one advertised.

2. You asked about using an A clarinet to avoid lots of flats and sharps on a Bb Calrinet. My answer is use the A clarinet… I spent an hour so scanning thru my Finale files that had “Clarinet” in the file name starting in 1998. I found about 50+/- files. Some transposing Bb to A clarinet, some transposing A to Bb clarinet, some transposing C clarinet to A or Bb clarinet. The reason for the A to Bb transpositions is maybe because one of our clarinet players did not have an A clarinet. I am sure they all have A clarinets now.

3. I have “Sharpeye” scanning program. “Sharpeye", like all scanning programs does misreads…but not many of them. When using “Sharpeye” and Finale, it does not take much effort to transpose 2 or 3 hundred measures of clarinet music to a different keys.
To answer your specific question. I transpose from Bb to A clarinet any time it is easier for me to play.

As an aside, I would love to make these files available to any clarinet player, but some may still be under copyright.

Bob Stiffler

[motet]

Thanks. I have entered all the music myself, so switching transpositions is a simple matter. It's just a question of finding places where there's enough time for the players to change instruments. I would certainly not write an E-flat or D-sharp, but since this is an arrangement I'm making, the D-sharp (in this case) could be avoided if I wanted to by reorchestration.

But, I've decided to write for both instruments. My target players would all own both instruments.

I asked this question on Facebook, and the ensuing discussion was all about various instruments with low E-flats. When I pressed them, one person did say he would prefer to switch rather than play in 5 or 6 sharps.

I am hoping that RMK checks in here, though.

[Harpsi]

Good decision. To clarify - In spite of my avatar, I am a classically trained clarinet player.

[motet]

Good decision.

I appreciate it!