422.211.2 (single) clarinets with cylindrical bore, with fingerholes

Clarinet in B-flat. One piece, made of brass. It has nickel silver plated keywork with leather pads. Barret action. The mouthpiece is missing and the thumbrest is either missing or has been removed. Inscribed on the bell of the clarinet: XX/CENTURY/HAWKES & SON/MAKERS/DENMAN STREET/PICCADILLY CIRCUS/LONDON.W. There is an emblem of an eagle upon a globe, stamped beneath the text CENTURY.

Metal clarinets were popular amongst military band players because they were more durable and less susceptible to humidity and temperature change than wooden clarinets. However, a metal clarinet's tone was considered harsher than that of a wooden clarinet. The 'Barret action' was originally designed for oboes. This type of key system was named after the French oboist and instrument designer Apollon Barret. It aims to provide similar fingering for different octaves and make trilling and slurring easier. Like Boosey & Co., Hawkes and Son published music and produced instruments for the military. These two rivals merged in 1930 to form Boosey & Hawkes.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
2004.1151
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall extant length: 595 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
copper alloy; nickel silver-plating; leather; solder; steel; cork
CATEGORY
Musical Instruments
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