In the late 18th century, the instrument maker Theodor Lotz, together with the clarinettist Anton Stadler, developed clarinets with an extended lower range, matching that of the basset horn. This instrument became known as the basset clarinet. Mozart wrote compositions for this instrument and today makers produce basset clarinets almost exclusively for playing Mozart’s works.The Oehler system is a system for clarinet keys developed by Oskar Oehler. Based on the Müller system clarinet, the system adds tone holes to correct intonation and acoustic deficiencies. The system has more keys than the Böhm system, up to 27 in the full Oehler system. It also has a narrower bore and a longer, narrower mouthpiece leading to a slightly different sound. It is used mostly in Germany and Austria.
Lothar Reidel is a German woodwind instrument maker who focuses on contrabass clarinets, and was particularly active in the 1980s. As of 2015, his worskhop in Wernitzgrun, Germany is still active.
Technical description: Blackwood with silver plated german silver ferrules and keywork. Five pieces: mouthpiece, curved barrel, upper section, lower section, bell. Sharing red mouthpiece with (5389). Full Oehler system with basset extension. Alternative touchpiece for C♯₄/G♯₅. Plate on R2. Disconnectable C sharp mechanism. 21 keys, 5 rings, 1 plate, 4 black rollers.
L0: T; speaker corresponding with first ring.
L1: T + ring + vent; throat A♮; throat A♭.
L2: T + ring + vent; alternative cross key for F₄/C₆.
L3: T + ring; E♭₄/B♭₅.
L4: C♯₄/G♯₅; E₃/B♮₄; F♯₃/C♯₅; alternative lever for B♭₃/F₅; alternative lever for G♯₃/E♭₅.
R0: E♭₃; D₃; C♯₃; C₃.
R1: T + ring + vent; side F₄/C₆; side E♭₄/B♭₅; side trill key for throat G-A or C₆-D₆; side trill for throat A-B♮ and B♭-C; alternative touchpiece for C♯₄/G♯₅.
R2: Plate.
R3: T + ring (forked B♭₃/F♮₅); cross B♭₃/F♮₅.
R4: G♯₃/E♭₅; F₃/C₅.
Keyhead type: modern.
Keymount type: screwed in pillars.
Signature marks: Inscribed "MOZART" and "1790".
Playing accessories: reed, cord, metal reed-cap.
(5389) and (5393) are in a black case with green velvet made by Daniel Bangham. Also in case: Cork grease, chalk, neck holder, a pad.
Vent hole in bell with two pillars and a needle spring, but no key: possibly never finished.
(5389) in B♭ and (5393) in A are a matched pair of clarinets.
Previous ownership: Thomas Reichle, Die Holzbläser (shop), Berlin.
Provenance
Thomas Reichle, Die Holzbläser (shop), Berlin.; Bequest of Sir Nicholas Shackleton, 2006.