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| Contrabass-L: a list for discussion of contrabass *anything*|
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Vol. 1, No. 15 9 July 1996
Sale Update:
Lyn Marcus faxed me a list of the other instruments
available from his father's estate yesterday. There is some
interesting stuff there! Lyn also said that it's OK
to post his telephone number, so anyone can call him
directly: 310-763-6697. This is his office number, and you
can usually reach him there between 11 am and 7 pm (Pacific
Time).
The more interesting instruments include:
1. an 1890's
German flute;
5. a Buffet-Crampon C clarinet (ca
1911);
8. a 1930's taragoto;
9. a 1925 Eb sopranino
sax, by Conn;
14. an F-mezzosoprano sax by Conn;
15. a
Conn 10M tenor sax;
18. a Selmer Paris contralto
clarinet;
19-21. Bb soprano, Eb alto, and C tenor
rothophones;
22. Eb alto sarrusophone, Gautrot
Marquet;
23. Eb baritone sarrusophone, Evette &
Schaeffer;
26. EEb bass sarrusophone, probably
Conn;
30. an 1840's German bassoon;
36. a Heckel 411
bassoon, 1937;
37. a Heckel 43d contrabassoon, ca
1950;
41. a Getzen slide trumpet, ca. 1965;
43. a
German bass valve trombone, (20th century);
49. an alto
valve trombone, J.W. York & Sons, ca 1895;
52. an Eb
helicon by Brua Keefer Co., ca 1918; and
54. a BBb tuba by
Conn, c. 1918.
The numbers along the left refer to the inventory numbers
for each instrument: if you're going to call Lyn about a
horn, it's much faster if you can give him the number for the
particular horn you're interested in. I have price info on a
few of the horns I found particularly interesting, but I
won't be buying anymore anytime soon, so don't feel inhibited
on my account ;-) The things I've left out are more common
instruments like Buescher alto saxes and German flugelhorns,
and two C soprano saxophones.
Also on the list, but no longer available, was a
"jazzophon in Bb" by the E.A. Wunderlich Co.,
Siebenbrunn, c. 1930. I've never heard of one before. Lyn
said it was a brass instrument shaped like a tenor sax with
two bells and a trumpet mouthpiece. Anyone else ever hear of
such a beast?
Grant
From: Francis Firth
Subject: Discography for Contrabass-l
Date: 26 June 1996 10:39
Grant,
Here is an updated contribution to the discography. In
places you will see that some details are missing. You
probably have the information to check some of them (Braxton,
Tebackin, Winter,etc.)
I have included some annotation.
Francis
GENERAL
(LP probably re-issued on CD)
Includes Gordon Jacob: Variations on Annie Laurie for 2
piccolos, hurdy-gurdy, harmonium, 2 contrabassoons, 2
contrabass clarinets, subcontrabss tuba, contrabass serpent,
heckelphone
There are no real solos for the above contrabass
instruments but the Heckelphone has a long solo in one
variation. A virtuoso piece of orchestration written in
response to Hoffnung's challenge (Jacob had written a well
known book on orchestration).
LOW RECORDERS
- Subbass in C (Quart Bass):
David Bellugi
and the Chianti classical orchestra on FRAME CD The CD
includes the Luciani Concerto for recorders which uses
various sizes of recorder including subbass with several
solos for this instrument played audibly in a 'straight'
style but a modern idiom.
- Bass in F, Subbass in C and Contrabass in F:
played
by G. Braun, Dieter Haag & Annette Strich. Hans-Joachim
Hespos: Ilomba played by Blockfloetenensemble
Gerhard Braun on Thorofon capella MTH 254? (LP). Avant-Garde
techniques dominate the piece - breathing sounds, hole
tapping, extreme registers, some multiphonics, but it is
possible to hear the typical sounds of the instruments. A
most interesting LP but, unfortunately, not scheduled for
re-issue on CD.
- Subbass in F
Three Centuries of World Music for
Recorders. - FRAME CD David Bellugi uses the Subbass
on several tracks with other recordersincluding a recorder
version of Leo Brouwer's Paisaje Cubana. Really good recorder
playing in an unexpected repertoire. the doubled overdubbed
bass instruments sound great.
- Low recorders are often used in the 8 foot consort by
the Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Recorder Quartet on CDs such as
A Concorde of Sweet Sounds (L'Oiseau Lyre - CD),
Anthony Holborne: Image of melancholy (CD),
Pictured Air (Modern Recorder Quartets)
(CD)
CONTRALTO CLARINET
- Hamiett Bluiett: Sankofa/Rear
Garde. - Black Saint (CD) 2 tracks for contralto, 1
unaccompanied. The style is modern jazz but the playing is
'straight' with no extended techniques. The contralto
clarinet is very clear.
- Music for Low Clarinets played by Julian
Spear, (withSharon Davis, piano.) .- (WIM Records WIMR-10 -
LP). William Schmidt: Sonatina for Contrabass Clarinet &
Piano played by Julian Spear and Sharon Davis - this is
probably played on a Selmer straight contralto (based on the
LP sleeve picture). Three Blake songs for Soprano and
Clarinet (a different clarinet for each song - alto, bass
& contrabass). These pieces are modern but accessible. No
avant-garde techniques used on these pieces although there is
also a bass clarinet piece on the LP which uses them
extensively. The instruments may be heard clearly.
CONTRABASS CLARINET
- Richard Teitelbaum with Anthony Braxton:
Time Zones.- Arista Records AL 1037 -LP.
Includes Behemoth Dreams on side 2 for Contrabass &
synthesizer). Jazz/classical synthesis.Not as avant-garde in
playing technique as many Braxton and the contrabass clarinet
is clearly audible when playing. Shows off the sound of the
instrument very well.)
- Donald Martino: Triple Concerto for Clarinet, Bass
Clarinet and Contrabass Clarinet, Nonesuch (LP). A
modern classic and there is plenty of contrabass writing.
Martino states that he used the 3 sizes of clarinet as a kind
of Superclarinet. The style is very modern but not
avant-garde and there are no extended playing techniques. It
is apparently a virtuoso piece. Play it if you dare was the
message on the Klarinet e-mail list.
- Modern Music by Swiss Composers. -Jecklin
szene sCHweiz JS 296-2 (CD). This includes Rudolf Kelterborn:
Duett fuer Bratsche und Kontrabassklarinette played by Elver
Schmiel & Christoph Schiller. Many avant-garde techniques
used - multiphonics, extended high register, etc. The
contrabass clarinet is not always as loud as the viola but
can generally be heard well enough. There is also an
interesting composition on this disc for soprano and basset
horn.
- Marc Monnet: Pieces Celibitaires. - Disques
Montaignes 782068 (CD). Includes Le Cirque for unaccompanied
contrabass clarinet played by Armand Angster. There is
relatively little traditional playing in this piece and a lot
of tongue slapping on the reed.
- Anthony Braxton: Complete Anthony Braxton,
1971.-Arista 0798 (2 LPs) includes a track for unaccompanied
contrabass clarinet. The style is avant-garde Jazz. Some
'straight' playing but much avant-garde - split-notes,
high-pitched squeaks, etc. Various other Anthony Braxton
recordings also use contrabass clarinet in quartet and other
groupings.
CONTRABASS SAXOPHONE
- Anthony Braxton & Muhal Richard Abrams:
Duets. Arista AL 4101(LP probably reissued on
CD). Cut 3 on side 1 is a duet for contrabass saxophone and
piano. The playing is fairly 'straight' jazz playing. The
contrabass saxophone is generally clear but sometimes
overwhelmed by the piano. Sometimes one has the impression
that Braxton has not entirely mastered the instrument.
- Anthony Braxton & George Lewis:
Donaueschingen (1982?). The track 73°
kelvin has an extended duo for contrabass saxophone and
trombone). Hat Art (CD) There is a long extended exchange for
the trombone and contrabass saxophone in an often witty
avant-garde style with some extended playing techniques on
both instruments.
- Daniel Kientzy: Saxophone(s) solo. - Poly-Art records
PAR 5303(LP). Includes Francois Rosse: Sonate en arcs for
unaccompanied contrabass saxophone played alternately with
soprano and alto saxophone played simultaneously. A CD of
modern and avant-garde unaccompanied saxophone music
including pieces by Jolas, Berio and Mefano. The Rosse piece
has several stretches of clear contrabass in a 'straight'
stylebut it is over a limited pitch range. Kientzy also
premiered the contrabass saxophone version of Hans-Joachim
Hespos's Pico, which uses many extended techniques and is a
substantial piece, at the Darmstadt Summer FerienKurse in
1984?.
- Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra: Thar They
Blow Whaleco. Music WM 102 CD & Gone
Fission Whaleco Music WM 103 CD. Sax ensemble
(basically a sextet with 'guests') with some prominent
contrabass sax. They play generally in a light jazz style,
sometimes jokey, but play arrangements of nearly anything
including consort music by William Lawes. In several pieces
the contrabass saxophone is prominent adding a great swinging
bass line.
HECKELPHONE
- Hindemith : Trio for Heckelphone,
Viola and Piano. (various recordings 1 on LP - Wergo,
2 on CD - 1 on MDG, 1 on Capriccio)
- Paul Winter uses Heckelphone and gives it an extended
solo on his album?; Track? (CD)
CONTRABASSOON
- London Philharmonic Celebrates
American Composers. Leonarda LE331 (CD). This includes
Donald Erb: Concerto for Contrabassoon and
Orchestra played by Greg Heneggar and conducted by
Harold Farberman. The piece is modern and technically
difficult bjt heneggar is a virtuoso. Some impressive writing
and playing. The contra is generally clearly heard except in
1 or 2 loud passages.
- Donald Erb: Chamber Music. - Albany records
Troy 092 (CD). This includes 5 Red Hot Duets for 2
Contrabassoons played by Greg Heneggar and Bradford
Bentley. These are red hot stuff and highly recommended.
Virtuoso writing and playing. Modern with no extended
techniques (except for very high register) these are exciting
pieces.
- The Big Bassoon: Susan Nigro,
Contrabassoon, Mark Lindeblad, piano. Crystal records CD346.
Includes: Vazgan Muradian: Contrabassoon
Concerto; Donald Draganski: Heart's
Desire; Alan Palider: The Narwhal; Ralph
Nicholson: Miniature Suite; Frank Warren:
Music for Contrabassoon and Piano; Matt Doran:
Four Movements. This is fantastic contrabassoon
playing. Not excessively virtuoso although Ms Nigro has
technique to spare the most striking thing is the wonderful
warm full tone she gets out of the instrument in all pitch
ranges - quite an achievement in itself. The playing is also
beautifully and musically phrased almost like a string
instrument. The pieces get the most out of the instrument
too.
- Arthur Grossman plays solo music for the bassoon and
contrabassoon. Crystal Records S342 (LP - should be reissued
on CD) This includes Irwin Schulhof: Bass Nachtigall
for unaccompanied Contrabassoon A very early piece for
the contra (the 1st in fact and dating from the 30s?)
includes a satiric prologue not recorded here and is a suite
like the Bach Cello ones even to the extent of including a
Prelude & Fugue! A good piece well played.
- Music of Stefan Wolpe & Erwin Schulhof played by
Ensemble Aventure. - Ars Musici AM 1071-2 (CD) This includes
Bass Nachtigall with its satirical prologue the
former well played by Reiner Kugele.
SARRUSOPHONES
- Paul Winter: (CD). The track Blues Cathedral
includes a duet for E Flat and C Contrabass Sarrusophones.
The solo is at the lower end of both instruments and you
really have to turn up the volume to hear them well but the
duet is quite long. the music is 'new age' and
meditative.
- Sextuor de Sarrusophones. - Performance tape from IDRS
Frankfurt 1992. They play pieces by Gounod and others
specially arranged. The sound is good quality live and the
ensemble sounds a bit like a renaissance reed consort.
- Clarence Williams Blue Five 1924. Sidney Bechet plays a
(famous or notorious - take your pick) solo for Contrabass
Sarrusophone in E Flat on the track Mandy Make up your
Mind. (various CD reissues of the original 78).
Clearly the sound is scratchy and it sounds as though the
instrument was a doubling one but it is still an excellent
solo and the instrument can be heard clearly above the
ensemble.
CONTRABASS FLUTES
- Piacere Flute Ensemble. - Tokyo City Sounds
TSCCD 0029 (CD). This Flute Choir includes Subbass in F,
Contrabass in C and Double Contrabass Flute in CC. The pieces
are standard arrangements, well played and although the
contrabass instruments have no solos they can be heard in the
ensemble giving a marvellous weight and depth. Includes J.S.
Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor; Bizet:
Carmen Suite; Mussorgsky: Pictures from an
Exhibition
- All about the Flute Orchestra/ JFA (Japan
Flute Association). - Adam ACD 0021 (CD) This Flute Choir
includes 2 subbass in F and 6 contrabass flues in C. Includes
Ryohei Hirose: Blue Train; Marine
City; Papillon; Paramita & Kada; Amagoi; Vivaldi:
The Seasons (Winter); Dvorak: Slavonic
Dance in e minor Op. 72 No. 2. Debussy:
Suite; Grigoras Dinicu: Hora
Staccato
- Joueurs de Flute. - Jecklin CD. This flute choir
includes contrabass in C. The programme is a potpourri of
popular favourites such a Flight of the Bumble Bee. They play
very smoothly.
- Pierre-Yves Artaud: Contemporary Flute
Neuma 450-77 (CD). Includes Traits Suspendus by
Paul Mefano for unaccompanied amplified contrabass
(contralto) flute in G; John Cage Ryoanji in a
version for Octobass (contrabass in C) flute, pre-recorded
octobass flute and percussion. The pieces are pretty
avant-garde, the Mefano piece being nearly all multiphonics,
breath sounds, etc. but showing off the instrument quite
well. The Cage is slow and the pitch range used limited but
the instrument comes over very well. Outstanding playing by a
very-well know avant-garde virtuoso.
- Pierre-Yves Artaud: Contemporary French Flute
Music Chant du Monde LDT 78700(LP). Includes Paul
Mefano: Traits Suspendus for Amplified unaccompanied
Contrabass (Contralto) Flute in G; Paul Mefano
Gravidas for the same instrument. The other
Mefano piece is not quite so exclusively avant-garde and the
instrument may be heard very well. Outstanding playing.
- Matthias Ziegler: Marsyas' Song. It is on
the Percords label CD 992-002 and is probably available from
Top Wind, 2, Lower Marsh, London. Tel.: (0)171 401 8787. On
this he plays Contrabass Flute in C among other flutes. The
music is avant-garde using many extended playing techniques
and is very atmospheric. A soprano joins him for the title
track. The contrabass is clearly heard but one could not
really gain much idea of its normal sound or range from this
CD. However, the playing is brilliant and the CD should not
be missed. Ziegler also gives fine perfomrances of
Syrinx and a piece by Jolivet on this disc.
- European Flute Festival Frankfurt am Main '93. A 2-CD
compilation including Michael Heupel playing skb
(SubKontrabassFlote) slap on his Sub Contrabass Flute (in G,
2 octaves below the alto flute in G). Jazz style playing live
(some audience noise but not intrusive) - imaginative,
inventive and fun and what a sound this flute makes! I got
this from All Flutes Plus also in London, 5, Dorset Street,
London. Tel.: (0)171 935 3339.
There are also other Cds
featuring Michael Heupel playing this instrument:
- Uwe Kropinski (Guitars) and Michael Heupel (Flutes):
Africa Notebook, AHO CD 1024 Blues/Folk style with
imaginative guitar playing and pleasant 'straight' flute
playing. 1 track using the subcontrabass flute.
- Michael Heupel also plays in Norbert Stein's Pata Music
and their 2 latest CDs 9. & 10. PATA CD 9 and PATA CD 8
are Graffiti and Blue Slit. Norbert Stein's PATA Music has an
internet home page at:
http://www.nettuno.it/ejn/labels/pata.htm The snail
mail address is:
Norbert Stein
Eiserweg 14 a
D-
51503 Roesrath
Germany
and his e-mail address
is:
101352.27@compuserve.com
- Robert Dick/ Third Stone from the Sun. -
New World records 80435-2 (CD). The track It's still
like it Wouldn't be Yesterday includes a duet passage
for 2 contratenor Flutes in F (Contrabass in F) Dick is well
know as a jazz and avant-garde classical flautist. This CD is
a hommage to Jimi Hendrix and the playing uses many extended
techniques as well as straight playing in a Jazz vein. A very
good recording.
CONTRABASS TROMBONE
There is a solo by Phil Teal? on Lew Tabackin/Toshiko
Akiyoshi: Tales of a Courtesan: Track: I
ain't gonna ask no more. (LP).
Francis.Firth@uce.ac.uk
Thanks Francis!
I just need to get around to transforming these into web
pages. I still have the original drafts, so it might be
easier if you just sent "changes" (i.e., not the
parts you've sent before). That way I can spot the new
material more quickly.
Grant
End Contrabass-L No. 15
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