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2004-12-07

 
Date: Mon,  6 Dec 2004 17:07:23 -0800
From: "Grant Green"
Subject: [CB] ContraForte


Hi,

I see from the current issue of the Double Reed that someone brought a Wolf Contraforte to the last annual meeting. Did anyone attend? Has anyone played one, or had a chance to compare it vs contrabassoon?

Enjoy,

Grant


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Grant Green       Contrabass.com
Sarrusophones & contrabass winds
      **NOTE NEW ADDRESS**
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Date: Mon, 06 Dec 2004 17:20:00 -0800
From: "Chuck Guzis"
Subject: [CB] Anyone looking for a nice bass flute?


Hey gang,

My wife is selling her barely four-year-old Eva Kingma bass flute (she recently took delivery of a Kotato) and I thought some of you might be interested.  All photos and details are at:

http://www.tubasr.us/forsale/kingma.html

Best regards,
Chuck


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From: "arthur grossman"
Subject: Re: [CB] ContraForte
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 19:45:30 -0800


Grant: there were several contrafortes in Melbourne.  In fact a contraforte quartet was played there.  I have played them several times at IDRS conventions ( you know that I represent Wolf here) and he is coming next week-end and bringing me one.  So anyone on the list who is interested in trying it can contact me.    Arthur
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Date: Tue,  7 Dec 2004 10:27:36 -0800
From: "Grant Green"
Subject: Re: [CB] ContraForte


So how did they sound? I'm curious (a) how they compared to regular contrabassoons, (b) how they compare to the Wolf contrabassoon, and (c) if the different players had noticably different timbres, or if they all sounded pretty much identical.

Wish I could make it to Seattle this weekend!

Grant

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Grant Green       Contrabass.com
Sarrusophones & contrabass winds
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From: "arthur grossman"
Subject: Re: [CB] ContraForte
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 11:17:45 -0800


Grant:

They have a more direct sound than a normal contra, including the Wolf contra, and they have a FAR larger dynamic range, plus greater clarity . I was not in Melbourne, so I did not hear the quartet, but based on IDRS meetings, where various people have played, they do not sound identical. Now, bear in mind that the reeds are nowhere like contra reeds, hence everyone that tried them at IDRS, with the exception of Hank Skolnick, used my reeds.  Hank made his own and he now owns a contraforte.  He was one of the quartet and also played a concerto there on contraforte.  I expect to have this contraforte until it sells, so maybe you could make it up at another time.

Arthur

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Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 13:20:10 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Marcus
Subject: Re: [CB] ContraForte

arthur grossman wrote:
 >>They have a more direct sound than a normal contra, including the Wolf contra, and they have a FAR larger dynamic range, plus greater clarity .
 
With that in mind (and ear), what, if any, advantage is there to a normal contra over a ContraForte?


Steve Marcus
http://www.geocities.com/semarcus1/Steve_Marcus.html
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From: "arthur grossman"
Subject: Re: [CB] ContraForte
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 15:20:03 -0800

Well, that might be hard to say.  One thing is certain; the contraforte takes more air than a normal contra, hence passages such as the beginning of Zarathustra will be that much harder. Depending on the player and reed, it may or may not sound sufficiently like a contra that other players in the section will feel comfortable with it.   After all, we are all subject to what we are accustomed to hearing.  Anything which departs in any way ( often even if it is an improvement) will be perceived as not being the right thing.  Just look at the controversy over French and German bassoons. 
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Date: Wed, 08 Dec 2004 00:45:47 +0100
Subject: Re: [CB] ContraForte (vs. Contrabassoon)
From: Klaus Bjerre


> And, for that matter, so-called HIP's would never accept a contraforte.

Hi Steve

You have just surpassed my understanding of English, an easy task btw.

What are HIP's?

May they be applied for orthopaedic replacements?

Klaus

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Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 15:56:23 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Marcus
Subject: Re: [CB] ContraForte (vs. Contrabassoon)

Klaus Bjerre  wrote:
 
> And, for that matter, so-called HIP's would never accept a contraforte.

>>What are HIP's?
 
"Historically Informed Performances"

>>May they be applied for orthopaedic replacements?

Two points for humor, Klaus. 


Steve Marcus
http://www.geocities.com/semarcus1/Steve_Marcus.html
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