Key signatures in Dvorak 9th symphony
I'm learning about transposing instruments, and now I'm looking at Dvorak's 9th symphony. In the second movement (Largo) I don't understand the key signature of the clarinet in A.
The first movement is written in E minor (1#) and the clarinet in A has two flats in its key signature (G minor). I know why this is the case: the clarinet in A transposes a minor third down (a written C sounds like an A). The key will thus shift three steps to the left in the circle of fifths.
But now the second movement. It's written in D flat major (5b) and the clarinet in A has three flats in its key signature (E flat major). Following the same logic as in the first movement, the clarinet in A should be written in E major (4#).
Why is this not the case? Or am I doing something wrong?
I hope someone can help me out, thanks in advance!
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The key signature for the first five bars of the clarinet part is wrong, although the notes are correct for A clarinets (they are playing in E major). The clarinets change to B-flat from the 11th bar, and there the key signature of three flats is correct. It looks like the composer, or a copyist, or the publisher found it easier to put the three flats in from the beginning. Those first bars are a modulation from E to D-flat, so there are going to be plenty of accidentals whatever key signature is used.
Following Brian's answer - muta means change instrument for one that transposes differently - change the crook on a horn; put down the A clarinet, and use the B? one instead.
B is actually what most of the world calls B?.
The score I found says muta in B after the clarinet entry at the start of the second movement. Clarinet in A would perform the written G sounding as a concert E which fits nicely in the opening E major chord.
On the second page of that movement the clarinet parts are now marked for Bb clarinet, and the key signature is still three flats.
The key signature is correct for Bb clarinet, and misleading for clarinet in A.
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