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Clarinet condensing standard

Posted: 29 Aug 2024, 09:15
by NeeraWM
I have browsed enough scores from the XIX century symphonic repertoire to see that, while Flute, Oboe, and Bassoon (and all brasses) were more often than not condensed, the Clarinets were not.
Can anyone explain why this happened and when this habit got abandoned?
For example: both Clara and Robert Schumann piano concerto's first editions have uncondensed clarinets; Tchaikovsky's 5th symphony has them condensed. Sometime in between things must have changed, and I wonder what lead to the change.
Thank you!

Re: Clarinet condensing standard

Posted: 29 Aug 2024, 14:54
by hautbois baryton
It probably depends on context and how active the parts are compared to one another. Clarinet 1 could be doing something in upper register while Clarinet 2 is doing something completely different in the chalumeau register.

Re: Clarinet condensing standard

Posted: 29 Aug 2024, 15:54
by NeeraWM
Flute, Oboe, Bassoon are always condensed even when doing completely different things.
Clarinets always decondensed even when play the same rhythm at different intervals or even when playing 'a 2'.

Re: Clarinet condensing standard

Posted: 29 Aug 2024, 17:08
by MichelRE
I don't know if it really was an original manuscript, but the Clara Schumann piano concerto "manuscript" score I looked at had absolutely no condensing at all, no flutes, oboes, bassoon, horns, nothing.

Re: Clarinet condensing standard

Posted: 29 Aug 2024, 17:47
by NeeraWM
Sorry for the confusion, I meant the first Breitkopf edition (1980 ca.)

Re: Clarinet condensing standard

Posted: 30 Aug 2024, 09:54
by Callasmaniac
SomeTsaikovski scores have un-condensed flutes parts when all other woodwinds are condensed...Odd.