This remarkable Backun MOVA clarinet was personally played and preserved by Ricardo Morales, Principal Clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and one of the most respected artists and designers in the clarinet world.

During the design and development of the Backun MOVA model, Morales tested and refined numerous prototypes to perfect tone, balance, and feel.
Among them, this clarinet emerged as the most perfectly crafted example — a model of ideal resonance, even response, and mechanical precision.

Morales used this exact clarinet in a professional recording of Franz Schubert’s “Shepherd on the Rock”, where its lyrical depth and crystal clarity can be fully appreciated.
🎧 Watch the recording here

Following the session, with complete artistic satisfaction, he decided to preserve this clarinet as the “perfect reference”— a benchmark for Backun’s future production of the MOVA line.

This particular clarinet is distinguished by custom solid silver thumb tube and register tube, specially made to enhance resonance and add sweetness to the sound. Combined with solid silver keywork and a raised thumb rest for superior comfort, it represents an exceptional level of craftsmanship and customization — the pinnacle of the MOVA’s design evolution.

Highlights

• Model: Backun MOBA (Bb Clarinet)

• Provenance: Personally used by Ricardo Morales during MOVA development and Schubert “Shepherd on the Rock” recording

• Selection: Chosen by Morales as “the most perfectly made” MOVA clarinet

• Keywork: Solid silver keys (not plated) — exceptional response, durability, and tonal purity

• Custom Features: Solid silver thumb tube and register tube, enhancing resonance and sweetness of tone

• Ergonomics: Raised thumb rest for improved comfort and playability

• Sound Character: Deep, resonant core with extraordinary evenness and projection

• Condition: Near-mint, artist-preserved reference instrument

• Includes: Certificate of Provenance signed by Ricardo Morales

About Ricardo Morales

Ricardo Morales is Principal Clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra and former Principal of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Internationally admired for his artistry, Morales has been a leading force in clarinet design through his collaborations with Backun Musical Services and now performs exclusively on Uebel clarinets (Germany).
This MOVA clarinet stands as the embodiment of his tonal ideals — a union of craftsmanship, innovation, and expressive beauty.

CD recorded with this MOVA clarinet;