 |
Long considered a standard
for American clarinetists, the Portnoy Bb clarinet mouthpiece produce a
wonderfully focused tone and yet is very free blowing. Great for the symphony
or chamber hall, the Portnoy clarinet mouthpiece has been the most recommended
step-up mouthpiece since its release.
The special facing affects the
length, width and slope of the opening, the most important factor is the tip
opening regarding how it ralates to the bite of the player and how easily it is
played for best toanl reproduction. |
| Model |
Description |
Tip Opening |
| Bb Clarinet |
| BP02 |
The
BP02 is the original model that made B Portnoy famous. The BP02 has a good tone
and provides easy blowing, and has been used in bands and orchestras by
professionals for years. If the player has been playing clarinet for a while
and wants the best, then the BP02 is probably the better choice. It's the most
popular. |
.050 |
| BP01 |
The
BP01 has a more closed opening and may work better for a smaller bite or
beginner clarinetist. |
.047 |
| BP03 |
The
BP03 is more open and better for doublers. |
.052 |
| Eb Clarinet |
| BP200 |
|
.039 |
| Alto Clarinet |
| BP202 |
|
.064 |
| Bass Clarinet |
| BP203 |
|
.073 |
|
 Bernard Portnoy was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in December
1914. Bernard Portnoy began playing the clarinet at age 13. In about 1931,
Bernard gained admission to the Curtis Institute, where he studied with Robert
McGinnis where he graduated in 1937. Following graduation, Bernard Portnoy was
appointed Principal clarinet of the Pittsburgh Symphony by Fritz Reiner,
serving from about 1937-1940. In the 1940-1941 season, Bernard Portnoy returned
to Philadelphia to join the Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra as
Principal clarinet. Portnoy remained in Philadelphia as Principal for four
seasons 1940-1943. During World War 2, beginning in 1943, Portnoy entered the
US Merchant Marine, although he remained on the official roster of the
Philadelphia Orchestra until 1946. At the conclusion of World War 2 he joined
the Cleveland Orchestra. Then in 1953, Portnoy joined the NBC Symphony for the
last two seasons of Arturo Toscanini tenure. After the NBC Symphony, remaining
in New York, Portnoy was a New York sessions musician and played on Broadway,
including the Broadway cast recording of My Fair Lady with Rex Harrison and
Julie Andrews Portnoy taught at the Julliard School in the 1950s and early
1960s while in New York City. Then for 20 years, Bernard Portnoy taught larinet
at Indiana University in the 1970s and 1980s. In his retirement from orchestra
life, and while at Indiana University, Bernard Portnoy became a successful
designer and manufacturer of clarinet mouthpieces and ligatures. Bernard
Portnoy died in Marin County, California, north of San Francisco, on December
2, 2006, two days before his 92nd birthday. |
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