Hawkes, Excelsior Sonorous A Clarinet
A fine and rare Hawkes Excelsior Sonorous Class A clarinet which is a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. This clarinet pre-dates the 1930 merger with Boosey, which created the Boosey and Hawkes Company. This clarinet plays with a "classic English" early 20th Century sound, with lots of character and projection in the tone, which will always be associated with the legendary first recording of the Brahms Quintet by Reginald Kell and the Busch String Quartet in 1933 at Abbey Road Studios in London.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0xnUmhivUg
This A features the famous Draper X1 mark at the rear meaning that Charles Draper found it to be an outstanding example. For a clarinet which is approaching 100 years of age it is in very fine condition.
The clarinet have just been down to our workshop for a full overhaul, in tan leather pads with touch corks replaced, and complete regulation, it is sold with our 1 year warranty. The A has matching serial nos. throughout, 10763, it has no cracks or repairs, apart from the barrel which has a full length crack through to the bore. We checked the barrel for seal in our workshop, and re-sealed the crack. The German Silver keywork throughout is in excellent condition. The m'piece is a Kell Geometric, Medium Open which tunes this clarinet superbly, NB The m'piece was photographed prior to being re-corked in our workshop. The case is a Boosey and Hawkes which, though much used, is still functional.