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The Clarinet in D: History, Literature, and Disappearance from Current Repertoire

In its early years, composers often treated the clarinet as if it were a brass instrument, particularly a trumpet, by writing
bugle-like lines for the instrument. By the end of the 18th century, the word ‘clarinet’ was used to denote a woodwind instrument played with
a single reed and included a bell attachment. As advancements were made by instrument-makers, the clarinet developed into an instrument that
was no longer compared strictly to the trumpet. D clarinets were used by many composers between approximately 1710 and 1750. However, a few
composers continued to write for the instrument after 1750. Some of the most well-known orchestral excerpts for E-flat clarinet were
originally written for the D clarinet, including: Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegel, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and Firebird, Bartok’s Miraculous
Mandarin, and Mahler’s fifth and sixth symphonies. The D clarinet has steadily declined in popularity after its peak in the middle of the
eighteenth century, possibly due to the rise in popularity of the military band, which used the E-flat clarinet. However, some orchestral
works are still being performed regularly that utilize the D clarinet, including those previously mentioned. Most orchestras will substitute
the E-flat clarinet for these performances even though the score was written for D clarinet. Often times, the parts are in a more challenging
key due to transposition and would be better suited for the D clarinet. The instrument blends particularly well with the strings in the
orchestra, and has a darker sound than its E-flat counterpart. Major orchestras spend a large amount of money locating specific instruments
to fulfill the needs of the original score, yet the E-flat clarinet is still allowed to substitute for the instrument the scores were
originally intended for. While D clarinets are no longer regularly produced in most countries, it is still possible to acquire one. The focus
is to provide a detailed history of the D clarinet, including its appearances and development throughout the world. Because there is limited
material dedicated to the D clarinet, the treatise aims to provide a list of solo, chamber and orchestral repertoire utilizing the
instrument. In combining the collection of repertoire, historical research and interviews with D clarinet specialists, it is my hope to
highlight the repertoire of an instrument that rarely receives attention in lesson and performance settings and articulate a practical
application of the D clarinet in current music. / A Treatise submitted to the College of Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Music. / Fall Semester 2017. / November 3, 2017. / Clarinet, D Clarinet, Molter / Includes bibliographical references. / Deborah Bish, Professor Directing Treatise; William Fredrickson, University Representative; Anne R.
Hodges, Committee Member; Jonathan Holden, Committee Member.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_605016
ContributorsSmith, Corinne Alyssa (author), Bish, Deborah, 1971- (professor directing treatise), Fredrickson, William E. (university representative), Hodges, Anne R. (committee member), Holden, Jonathan (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Music (degree granting college)
PublisherFlorida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
LanguageEnglish, English
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, text, doctoral thesis
Format1 online resource (52 pages), computer, application/pdf

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