This book is the first detailed study of the history and development of six large size clarinets: clarinet d'amour, alto clarinet, basset horn, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, and contra bass clarinet from 1740 to 1860. The majority of extant instruments are described and discussed, along with extant music of the period. Some of the most memorable and important music written includes Mozart's Serenade in B for thirteen instruments, Beethoven's basset horn solo
in The Creatures of Prometheus, and Meyerbeer's bass clarinet solo in Les Huguenots.