Charles Stier > Wurlitzer Clarinets
Artist Representative

Charles Stier was named the North American Artist Representative for Wurlitzer clarinets in 1996.

Performing on Wurlitzers since 1987, Stier is hailed for his gorgeous tone, seamless lyricism, excellence and consummate artistry. He has dazzled audiences and critics alike with concerto, recital and chamber music performances in seventeen countries on three continents.

His recordings, The Art of the Romantic Clarinet, Cameos, One, The Clarinet in theAge of Enlightenment have received outstanding critical acclaim and are regularly broadcast throughout the world. Future releases include Peace On Earth, K439b, The American Myth and Lush Life.

Click here for a discography

Mr. Stier performs on the top-of-the-line artist model: Wurlitzer Reform-Boehm Model No.185 Artist Clarinets.

 

Wurlitzer History | return to top

Since 1659 the Wurlitzer family has been engaged in instrument making. Invented over 50 years go, the Reform-Boehm (modern French) clarinet is the perfect combination
of the beautiful, powerful sound of the German bore with the fast French fingering system that has been modernized to include even more alternate fingering/pitch options.

An artist will never have to purchase another instrument because the Wurlitzer clarinet will last for an entire career--and beyond. Superior design, master craftsmanship and wood that has been properly aged and selected has been the Wurlitzer family tradition from father to son for seven generations. Learn more

 

Articles | return to top

Other Wurlitzer Clarinetists in America | return to top

Stephen Bates - Clarinet/Bass/E-flat, Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, Washington, DC
Larry Combs - Principal Clarinet, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Michele Zukovsky - Principal Clarinet, Los Angeles Philharmonic

 

Other Wurlitzer Clarinetists in Europe | return to top

Karl Leister - Solo Clarinet [retired], Berlin Philharmonic
Sabine and Wolfgang Meyer - German Soloists
George Pieterson - Solo Clarinet [retired], Royal Amsterdam Concertgebouworkest

 

Reform-Boehm Fingering System | return to top

  • complete mechanism
  • 20 keys, 7 rings
  • automatic b-flat mechanism [2 independently operating keys for register and throat-tone b-flat]
  • 5 fork b-flat's available in the 2nd register
  • 2nd register fork g# mechanism
  • 2nd register f#-g# trill
  • 2nd register g#-a trill
  • left-hand e-flat key
  • right-hand rollers on the c and e-flat keys
  • silver-plated keys

 

Mouthpieces | return to top

French mouthpieces will not fit in Wurlitzer barrels and do not match with
Wurlitzer bores. I recommend the excellent Hans Zinner "George Pieterson
Model" German-Reform-Boehm and the Wurlitzer C4 or K4 Reform-Boehm mouthpieces.
All are designed to be played with either the traditional string ligature or with a metal ligature.

 

Reeds | return to top

I recommend Vandoren German-Cut White Master No.3&1/2

 

Pitch | return to top

Wurlitzer clarinets are designed to play from A-440 (long barrel) to A-442 (regular barrel) to A-444 (short barrel). There is no problem with pitch playing the Wurlitzer in America or Europe either with orchestra, piano or string quartet.

 

Models | return to top

Wurlitzer clarinets are available in: high g, e-flat, d, c, b-flat, a, basset Mozart clarinet,
basset horn, alto and bass, all in Reform-Boehm (modern French) and German (modern Oehler) systems. I perform on the top-of-the-line artist model: Wurlitzer Reform-Boehm Model No.185 Artist Clarinets.

 

How to Order | return to top

Wurlitzer clarinets are individually custom-made for each Artist.

Bernd WurliTzer
HERBERT WURTLIZER FINE WOODWIND INSTRUMENT MAKERS INC.
Herbert Wurlitzer Kunstwerkstatt für Holzblasinstrumente GmbH
RÜCKERTSTR. 20 D-91413 NEUSTADT/AISCH
GF: Ruth Wurlitzer, Prof. Ulrich Wurlitzer, Bernd Wurlitzer
TEL.+49 (9161)2625 Fax +49 (9161)7457
DE 811299019 - 20318250328 HRB 3914, Amtsgericht Fürth (Bay.)
wurlitzer@wurlitzerklarinetten.de
www.wurlitzerclarinets.com
BLZ: 76251020 account: 35170
SWIFT: BYLADEM1NEA