Clarinets in the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic MusicalInstruments

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The heritage of English clarinet virtuosiHenry Lazarus

The relationship between virtuosi, instrumentmakers and composers are of great interest - many awork would not have been composed, had there notbeen the instrument makers who providedmechanical solutions for the complex requirementsof composers. On the other hand the tonal andtechnical possibilities of a certain instrument modelmight have inspired the playing of a virtuoso. Thefamous British clarinettist Henry Lazarus(1815-1895), for example, played on the clarinet byAlbert shown here, which was obviously a presentby the firm. As a result of such a donation theinstrument makers could use the fame and brillianceof the virtuoso in their advertising. The annotation“Approved by Mr. Lazarus” applied on Albertclarinets became a hallmark. His Simple Systemclarinet has a patent C sharp mechanism, anadditional Bb throat key, and a side Bb for R1. Aninteresting detail of the Lazarus instrument are thecross keys, which have rollers to enable the fingersto slide between key and tone-hole in fast or legatopassages.

Photos: Detail of a clarinet in A owned by HenryLazarus by E. Albert, Brussels, c 1865 (136).

Reginald Kell

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The mouthpiece of the set doesn’t show any tracesof the teeth, because Reginald Kell always used adouble lip embouchure. The B levers for L4 are bentso as to lie much higher than on most instruments; apiece of cloth is glued below the thumb-rest; both ofthese modifications were made by Kell himself.

Photo: Pair of Boehm system clarinets owned byReginald Kell made by Hawkes & Son in Londonabout 1925 (2800) and (2801).

George Tyler, Julian Egerton

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These clarinets were made for George Tyler, whodied in 1878. The famous clarinettist Julian Egerton(1848-1945) bought them from Tyler’s widow. Thisvery fine set was made by J. Fieldhouse in Londonabout 1862, (114) and (133). It has a cocusmouthpiece, and the body of each instrument ismade in one piece from ebonite. The instrumentsshow some excellent and interesting details e.g.metal rollers on cross keys and the A-touchpiece.Like the Ottensteiner they have plates to improvethe forked fingerings.

Photo: Pair of clarinets, made by John Fieldhouse,London, c 1862, (114) and (133).

Another pair of Fieldhouse clarinets features a veryindividual and progressive system. It modifies theSax type and uses some of Klosé´s improvements.

Photo: Pair of clarinets, made by John Fieldhouse,London, c 1855, (118) and (135).

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Next chapter: Sources in our collection

Contents of the Clarinet Web Guide

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