Mid-range instruments > clarinet d’amore in G
Range of the modern clarinet d’amore in G. Historical clarinets d’amore have a range down to low E [ e / E3 ], sounding [ B / B2 ].
General
The modern clarinet d'amore is a very recent development in the clarinet world. The sound of this instrument is perhaps the most gentle of all the clarinets but it can dominate the texture, should it have to. The clarinet d'amore was an instrument used from the late 18th to mid 19th centuries predominantly in chamber music and operas. Its covered sound was unobtrusive but very lyrical and warm. It is the only clarinet with a pear-shaped bell. The modern instrument exhibits a basset range and is extremely agile in all registers. As with most low clarinets, there are few limits to its sonic capabilities. There needs to be more music written for this instrument to ensure it doesn't disappear from the concert stage again.
Nearby range and tone colour pairings: alto flute, oboe d’amore, cor anglais, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bassoon, flügelhorn, horn, alto trombone, mid range percussion, viola, cello
Distant range and tone colour pairings: extremely high or low sounds from any instrumental group
Video example (18th century)
Notable repertoire:
Henri Joseph de Croes — Partitas (ca. 1780) for two clarinets d’amore, two violas and double bass
Johann Simon Mayr — Gloria patri & Sacrificium (ca. 1830) for vocal soloists, clarinet d’amore and orchestra
Chris Dench — Ghosts of Motion (2020) for solo clarinet d’amore
Sachie Kobayashi — être (2022) for clarinet d’amore and ensemble
Transposition hacks
sounding > written: think a perfect fourth higher [ + P4 ] • read as if mezzo-soprano clef
written > sounding: think a perfect fourth lower [ - P4 ]
