Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:28:32 -0500
From: Jim and Joyce
Subject: Re: [CB] The Long History of Contra Clarinets.
I believe that contra clarinets first evolved during the
Cretaceous era. They were domesticated in the Mediterranean
region more than two thousand years ago. The first ones were kept
in villages to scare off wild animals. Hannibal's troops carried
them on elephants in order to cross the Alps. Many distinct
and useful breeds were developed in the past two thousand years.
For example, before the development of microelectronics, most
foghorns actually were selectively bred contra clarinets. If you
go to Colonial Williamsburg, you will see that all of the
downspouts are domesticated contra clarinets. Sadly, contra
clarinets no longer exist in the wild. Today, virtually all
contra clarinets are farmed for use as musical instruments.
Apparently there also is a creationist myth about contra clarinets, but
I don't have any information about that.
Jim Lande
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From: "Ivan Woods"
Subject: RE: [CB] [CB Digest]
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:50:56 -0500
From: "Sung Hwang Wang"
Subject: [CB] Makers of Contra
Clarinets
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 21:34:00 -0800
Hello all, I am contemplating doing
some historical research on contra clarinets and would appreciate some
help from you in order to get started.
Part of my research would be
collective primary data from contra clarinet makers, past and
present. I would appreciate if anyone could point out what
makers, other than the ones listed below, that I might have overlooked:
Selmer Paris: contra-alto, contrabass
Selmer USA: contra-alto
Leblanc France: contra-altos,
contrabasses
Leblanc USA (Vito): contra-alto,
contrabass
Buffet Crampton: contra-alto,
contrabass (now discontinued?)
L. A. Ripamonti: contra-alto,
contrabass
Orsi: contra-alto, contrabass
Any other makers? What about
German makers?
Willy
Willy,
Linton made a Bb contra in the 60's and 70's. It looked
like a silver bari sax.
Ivan Woods
***End of Contrabass Digest***