Clarinet, E-flat
Maker
Oscar Adler & Co.
Date1928-1944 ca.
Place MadeMarkneukirchen, Germany, Europe
Serial No.40006
SignedStamped on lower part of lower joint:Sonora trade mark: (eagle-like bird surrounded by sunburst) / SCHUTZMARKE
["Schutzmarke" means trademark]
MarkingsStamped just below signature: CARADL
All joints marked with this, including both barrels and mouthpiece: 40006
Description4 sections: barrel, upper joint, lower joint, bell. German (Oehler) system; 15 keys; 5 rings; wood body; nickel-silver keys, rings, ferrules. Has an extra barrel marked with serial number.
Upper joint:
1. Speaker key with ring and vent for LH1 to improve intonation of f#' (vent open) and c#''' (vent closed)
2. Ring + vent for LH2 to improve intonation of b-natural''
3. Ring for LH3 activating LH2 ring to improve intonation of forked bb''
4. Duplicate lever for RH1 c#'/g#''
Lower joint:
"Patent c-sharp" key that is NOT detachable
Left hand side a-flat/e-flat '' key
Rollers between left hand e/b' and f-sharp/c-sharp'' keys
Rollers between right hand f/c'' and a-flat/e-flat'' keys
This clarinet bears the trademark eagle grasping a clarinet, as well as the name “CARADL,” a name used by Oscar Adler.
DimensionsOverall length (from top of mouthpiece to bottom of bell): 501 mm & 502 mm
Overall length (from top of barrel to bottom of bell): 439 mm & 440 mm
Barrels: 42 mm & 43 mm
Top joint: 137 mm
Bottom joint: 173 mm
Bell: 85 mm
Bore at top of top joint: 13.3 mm
Bore at bottom of top joint: 13.0 mm
Bore at bottom of bottom joint: 19.9 mm
ProvenanceThis clarinet was a gift to Private First Class Bruce E. Howden, Jr. (1922-1997), after he was injured in the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. While hospitalized, Howden organized a band of other recuperating soldiers from several armored infantry and artillery regiments. Not only did the band provide therapy for the soldiers themselves, but also entertained other patients, hospital personnel, and an occasional local civilian. Grateful for the medical care and friendship offered to him by the Americans, a sympathetic, elderly German patient gave this clarinet to Howden, explaining that he wanted to give the “young Yank” a better souvenir of his wartime experiences than the scar on his leg. Howden treasured the instrument, using it in his long career as professor of music, composer, and conductor.
Published ReferencesReeves, Deborah Check. "Historically Speaking." _The Clarinet_ 42, No. 4 (September 2015): 20-21.
Reeves, Deborah Check. “A World War II Remembrance.” _America’s Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter_ 27, No. 4 (November 2000): 3.
Credit LineGiven in memory of Bruce E. Howden, Jr., by his widow, Hilde Howden, 2000
Object number09940
On View
On view
