National Music Museum Logo   National Music Museum  
Home  Collections
Virtual Tour
Calendar Gift Shop FAQ Site Index Maker Index

 

Annotated Checklist of Mazzeo System Clarinets

Rosario Mazzeo

In 1961, Rosario Mazzeo (1911-1997) gave Selmer the exclusive license to manufacture Mazzeo system clarinets.  The instruments utilize Boehm system fingering with several significant modifications.  All Mazzeo system instruments incorporate the following:

1.  New B-flat':  Played with a' key and any one or combination of left-hand second finger or right-hand first, second, or third fingers.  Same fingerings, minus a' key, produce a'.  Traditional b-flat' and a' fingerings also available.

2.  Left-hand thumb plateau key.

3.  Ringless bell:  Bell has less flare at bottom and no bell ring.

The following are featured on full and modified Mazzeo system models:

1.  E-flat'/b-flat'' may be played with thumb, first, and third fingers and d-flat'/a-flat'' key of left hand.

2.  B' to c-sharp'' keys articulated.

3.  Alternate left-hand a-flat/e-flat'' key available.

Bibliography:
Rosario Mazzeo, Mazzeo Clarinet Manual (Philadelphia:  Henri Elkan, 1960).

Rosario Mazzeo, The Clarinet:  Excellence and Artistry (Sherman Oaks, California:  Alfred Publishing Co., 1981).

Makers:

Buffet-Crampon & Cie
Chedeville, Edmond
Selmer, H. & A.
Selmer, Henri:  1953; 1961; 1963/1967; 1967

Mazzeo System Clarinets
(in chronological order)

NMM 5828.  Clarinet in B-flat, Edmond Chedeville, Paris, 
ca. 1925

NMM 5828. Clarinet in B-flat, Edmond Chedeville, Paris, ca. 1925.  Four sections.  Stamped on barrel, top joint, and bottom joint:  EDMOND / CHEDEVILLE / PARIS; near top on top joint:  LP; near middle on bottom joint:  Bb; on bell:  B / [eagle] / PENZEL MULLER / NEW YORK (in oval cartouche along with PENZEL MULLER) / U.S.N.  Grenadilla, German silver ferrules.  Extensive custom modifications designed by Mazzeo ca. 1960.  Nineteen German-silver keys, seven German-silver rings.  Modifications include new b-flat' operated by a' key and right hand first, second, or third fingers; articulated b' to c-sharp '' keys; additional left hand a-flat/e-flat'' key; five right hand side keys.  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 591 mm.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1995.

NMM 6113.  Clarinet in B-flat by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1953

NMM 6113. Clarinet in B-flat by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1953.  Two sections (missing barrel and bell) which have been permanently screwed together.  Stamped on top joint:  DEPOSE / HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (in wreath with HENRI / SELMER) / FRANCE / Centered (in script) / Tone (in script); on bottom joint: HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath).  Number [asterisk] / P6999.  Unfinished experimental full-Boehm model.  Grenadilla, German-silver ferrule.  Most keys and all rings removed.  Toneholes for a' and register key have been plugged and redrilled in different locations.  Custom modifications include:  wrap around to side register key; extra long left-hand g-sharp' key; repositioned a' key; large left-hand thumb plateau key; elongated right-hand e-flat'/b-flat'' key; split touchpieces on right-hand f/c'' and e-flat/b-flat' keys.  Length (top of top joint to bottom of bottom joint, excluding tenons), 460 mm.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1998.

Lit.:  Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 6116.  Clarinet in B-flat, unfinished experimental 
prototype, ca. 1955

NMM 6116.  Clarinet in B-flat, unfinished experimental prototype, ca. 1955.  One piece body only.  German silver.  Tone holes not drilled through.  Five keys, four rings, one left-hand plateau key, twelve pad-covered tone holes, extra large right-hand thumb rest.  Length (from very top to very bottom), 487 mm.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1998.

Lit.:  Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 5832.  Clarinet in A by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1961

NMM 5832. Clarinet in A by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1961.  Four sections.  Stamped on top joint:  MAZZEO / SYSTEM / DEPOSE / HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (in wreath with HENRI / SELMER) / FRANCE / [star] / U. S. PATENT 2,867,143 (on back); on barrel:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath) / A / MADE IN FRANCE (lower) / 2 mm.L (on back); on bottom joint:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath); on bell:  MAZZEO / SYSTEM / HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (in wreath with HENRI / SELMER); on bell back: MADE IN FRANCE . Number S4783.  Grenadilla, German-silver ferrules.  Twenty German-silver keys, five German-silver rings, one German-silver plateau key.  Modified Mazzeo system with custom modifications designed by Mazzeo ca. 1968.  Modifications include:  elongated left hand g-sharp' key; German silver plate attached to left hand thumb plateau key; c-sharp'/g-sharp'' key extension that is operated with right hand; left hand "Bis" key.  Rosario Mazzeo's U.S. patent #2,867,146 (1959).  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 640 mm.  Part of a set with No. 5831.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1995.

Lit.:  Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 6115.  Clarinet in B-flat by H. & A. Selmer (Bundy
division), Elkhart, after 1961

NMM 6115. Clarinet in B-flat by H. & A. Selmer (Bundy division), Elkhart, after 1961.  Four sections.  Stamped on bell:  [star] / BUNDY / [star] (in badge with [star] / BUNDY) / RESONITE / MADE BY / Selmer / [R within a circle] / Elkhart, Indiana; on top joint:  MAZZEO / SYSTEM / [star] / BUNDY / [star] (in badge with [star] / BUNDY); on back of top joint:  U.S. PATENT 2,867,146.  Number 202328.  Resonite, German-silver ferrules.  Basic Mazzeo system.  Seventeen German-silver keys, five German-silver rings, one German-silver left-hand thumb plateau key.  Rosario Mazzeo's U.S. patent #2,867,146 (1959).  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 598 mm.  Mouthpiece of ebonite stamped:  HENRI / SELMER /PARIS (all in wreath) / HS [star] / MADE IN FRANCE.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1998.

Lit.:  Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 6114.  Clarinet in B-flat by H. & A. Selmer (Bundy
division), Elkhart, after 1961

NMM 6114. Clarinet in B-flat by H. & A. Selmer (Bundy division), Elkhart, after 1961.  Four sections.  Stamped on bell:  [star] / BUNDY / [star] (in badge with [star] / BUNDY) / RESONITE / MADE BY / Selmer / [R within a circle] / Elkhart, Indiana; on top joint:  MAZZEO / [star] / BUNDY / [star] (in badge with [star] / BUNDY); on back of top joint:  U.S. PATENT 2,867,146.  Number 261543.  Resonite, German-silver ferrules.  Basic Mazzeo system.  Seventeen German-silver keys, five German-silver rings, one German-silver left-hand thumb plateau key.  Rosario Mazzeo's U.S. patent #2,867,146 (1959).  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 598 mm.  Mouthpiece of ebonite stamped:  Geo. M. Bundy (in script and underlined) / 3.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1998.

Lit.:  Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 5830.  Clarinet in B-flat by Henri Selmer, 
Paris, 1963/1967

NMM 5830. Clarinet in B-flat by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1963 (bottom joint), 1967 (top joint).  Four section.  Stamped on top joint:  MAZZEO / MODEL / DEPOSE / HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (in wreath with HENRI / SELMER) / FRANCE; on bell :  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath) / SERIES / [leaves] 10 [leaves] / B (in script); on bell back: MADE IN FRANCE ; on bottom joint:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath); on barrel:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath) / [star].  Bottom joint number T4778, top joint number V2848.  Grenadilla, German silver ferrules.  Twenty-one German-silver keys, five German-silver rings, one German-silver plateau key.  Modified Mazzeo system with extensive custom modifications by Dennis Heaney, Santa Cruz, and Norman Benner, San Jose, ca. 1968.  Mazzeo called this:  "Famous California Custom Clarinet."  Modifications include:  elongated register key; brass plate attached to left-hand thumb plateau key; elongated left-hand g-sharp' key; leftward turning a' key; left hand "Bis" key; c-sharp'/g-sharp'' key extension that is operated with right hand; extra right-hand side key with overlapping extensions on other right-hand side keys.  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 594 mm.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1995.

Lit.:  Rosario Mazzeo, The Clarinet:  Excellence and Artistry (Sherman Oaks, California:  Alfred Publishing Co., 1981), pp. 119 (illus.), 153-161.

Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 5831.  Clarinet in B-flat by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1963/1967

NMM 5831. Clarinet in B-flat by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1963 (top joint), 1967 (bottom joint).  Four sections.  Stamped on top joint:  MAZZEO / SYSTEM / DEPOSE / HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (in wreath with HENRI / SELMER) / FRANCE / [star] / U. S. PATENT 2,867,146 (on back);  on barrel:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath) / FRANCE / B (in script); on bottom joint:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (in wreath along with HENRI / SELMER); on bell:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (in wreath along with HENRI / SELMER) / MAZZEO / SYSTEM / MADE IN FRANCE (on back).  Top joint number T4778, bottom joint number V2848.  Grenadilla, German-silver ferrules.  Twenty German-silver keys, five German-silver rings, one German-silver plateau key.  Modified Mazzeo system with custom modifications designed by Mazzeo ca. 1968.    Modifications include:  elongated register key; elongated left-hand g-sharp' key; brass plate attached to left-hand thumb plateau key; extra right-hand side key with overlapping extensions on other right hand side keys; c-sharp'/g-sharp'' key extension that is operated with right hand.  Rosario Mazzeo's U.S. patent #2,867,146 (1959).  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 600 mm.  Part of a set with No. 5832.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1995.

Lit.:  Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 5863.  Clarinet in C by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1967

NMM 5863. Clarinet in C by Henri Selmer, Paris, 1967.  Stamped on top joint:  MAZZEO / MODEL / DEPOSE / HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (in wreath with HENRI / SELMER) / FRANCE; on barrel:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath) / 9;  on bottom joint:  (mark obscured by post) / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath); on back of bottom joint:  U. S. PATENT / ONE OR MORE / OF FOLLOWING: / 2,867,146 / 3,035,473 / 3,150,553 / 3,204,512; on bell:  HENRI / SELMER / PARIS (all in wreath) / MAZZEO / SYSTEM.  Number V1840.  Grenadilla, German-silver ferrules.  Nineteen German-silver keys, five German-silver rings, one German-silver plateau key.  Modified Mazzeo system with some modifications.  Modifications include:  left-hand "Bis" key; c-sharp'/g-sharp'' key extension that is operated with right hand; no alternate left-hand a-flat/e-flat'' key.  Rosario Mazzeo, U.S. patents #2,867,146 (1959), #3,035,473 (1962), #3,150,553 (1964), and #3,204,512 (1965).  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 515 mm.  Rosario Mazzeo Collection, 1995.

Lit.:  Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 5834.  Clarinet in B-flat by Buffet-Crampon and 
Cie., Paris, 1970

NMM 5834. Clarinet in B-flat by Buffet-Crampon and Cie., Paris, 1970.  Four sections.  Stamped on barrel, top joint, bottom joint, and bell:  [lyre] / BUFFET / Crampon & Cie (in script) /  A PARIS (in oval cartouche with BUFFET / Crampon & Cie) / BC [monogram] / MADE IN FRANCE; on barrel near bottom:  B67; on top joint below signature:  BC20.  Number F114269.  Grenadilla, German-silver ferrules.  Twenty-one German-silver keys, five German-silver rings, one German-silver plateau key.  Extensive custom modifications by Dennis Heaney, Santa Cruz, and Norman Benner, San Jose, ca. 1970.  Mazzeo called this:  "Famous California Custom Clarinet."  Has all features of modified Mazzeo system.  Modifications include:  elongated register key; German-silver plate attached to left-hand thumb plateau key; elongated left-hand g-sharp' key; leftward turning a' key; left-hand "Bis" key; c-sharp'/g-sharp'' key extension that is operated with right hand; extra right-hand side key with overlapping extensions on other right-hand side keys.  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 601 mm.  Part of a set with No. 5833.  Rosario Mazzeo Collections, 1995.

Lit.:  Rosario Mazzeo, The Clarinet:  Excellence and Artistry (Sherman Oaks, California:  Alfred Publishing Co., 1981), pp. 119 (illus.), 153-161.

Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

NMM 5833.  Clarinet in A by Buffet-Crampon and Cie., 
Paris, 1970

NMM 5833. Clarinet in A by Buffet-Crampon and Cie., Paris, 1970.  Four sections.  Stamped on barrel, top joint, bottom joint, and bell:  [lyre] / BUFFET / Crampon & Cie (in script) /  A PARIS (in oval cartouche with BUFFET / Crampon & Cie) / BC [monogram] / MADE IN FRANCE; on top joint below signature:  BC2 (last number illegible under post).  Number F114707.  Grenadilla, German-silver ferrules.  Twenty-one German-silver keys, five German-silver rings, one German-silver plateau key.  Extensive custom modifications by Dennis Heaney, Santa Cruz, and Norman Benner, San Jose, ca. 1970.  Mazzeo called this:  "Famous California Custom Clarinet."  Has all features of modified Mazzeo system.  Modifications include:  elongated register key; German-silver plate attached to left-hand thumb plateau key; elongated left-hand g-sharp' key; leftward turning a' key; left-hand "Bis" key; c-sharp'/g-sharp'' key extension that is operated with right hand; extra right-hand side key with overlapping extensions on other right-hand side keys.  Length (top of barrel to bottom of bell), 636 mm.  Part of a set with NMM 5834.  Rosario Mazzeo Collections, 1995.

Lit.:  Rosario Mazzeo, The Clarinet:  Excellence and Artistry (Sherman Oaks, California:  Alfred Publishing Co., 1981), 153-161.

Deborah Check Reeves, "The Mazzeo System Clarinet:  An Historical Review," The Clarinet, Vol. 26, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 62-64.

Link to Rosario Mazzeo Collection page.

National Music Museum
The University of South Dakota
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD   57069

National Music Museum, 2002, 2003
Most recent update:   May 6, 2003
You are the 20,511th visitor to this page since March 12, 2002.

College of Fine Arts
The University of South Dakota
Return to Top of Page