Ricardo Morales’ Backun Moba Clarinet

Backun MOVA Clarinet — Reference Instrument Personally Selected and Played by Ricardo Morales

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;

 

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Bidder Bid amount Bid time
k*************n $3,000.00 2025-11-21 03:04:42
e********c $2,900.00 2025-11-21 02:01:20
k*************n $2,300.00 2025-11-20 19:52:31
a*******0 $2,200.00 2025-11-20 16:54:53
k*************n $2,100.00 2025-11-19 21:14:00
a*******0 $2,000.00 2025-11-19 17:22:31
k*************n $1,900.00 2025-11-19 13:48:25
e********c $1,800.00 2025-11-19 13:43:05
k*************n $1,700.00 2025-11-19 08:21:56
a*******0 $1,600.00 2025-11-17 16:50:32
e********c $1,500.00 2025-11-17 13:13:32
a*******0 $1,300.00 2025-11-16 17:26:23
k********2 $1,200.00 2025-11-16 16:17:57
e********c $1,100.00 2025-11-16 14:58:45
k********2 $1,000.00 2025-11-15 20:14:18
a*******0 $900.00 2025-11-15 20:13:40
k********2 $800.00 2025-11-15 18:30:11
Start auction $800.00 11/14/2025 05:00:00
Ship from USA
Type Bb Clarinet (French)
Brand Backun
Model Name Moba
Serial Number MB-269
Date of Acquisition 2015
Package and case Upgraded bag
How many months did you use the clarinet? >6 months (This clarinet was carefully preserved as the master reference for all future MOVA clarinets.)
Condition of the instrument Almost not used, with no major dents or scratches. Plays beautifully and remains in excellent playing condition.

Ricardo Morales is internationally acclaimed as one of the greatest clarinetists of our time — a performer, educator, and innovator whose artistry has shaped the modern clarinet landscape.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Morales began studying clarinet at age 12 and quickly distinguished himself as a prodigious talent. After training at the Manhattan School of Music, he ascended rapidly in the orchestral world, becoming Principal Clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at just 21 — one of the youngest musicians ever to hold that prestigious position.

In 2003, Morales was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra, where his performances have been praised for their breathtaking control, luminous tone, and profound musical intelligence. Under the batons of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Sir Simon Rattle, Gustavo Dudamel, and Riccardo Muti, his playing has become synonymous with clarity, warmth, and expressive mastery.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Morales has appeared with leading orchestras and ensembles across North and South America, Europe, and Asia, collaborating with artists such as Emanuel Ax, Mitsuko Uchida, Christoph Eschenbach, and the Pacifica Quartet. His interpretations of works by Mozart, Copland, and Weber — as well as contemporary compositions — have been recognized for their elegance, imagination, and technical perfection.

Throughout his career, Ricardo Morales has also been deeply involved in instrument design and innovation. He contributed significantly to the development of several Backun clarinet models, including the MOVA, before later entering a new era of collaboration with Uebel, one of Germany’s clarinet makers.
Today, he performs and records exclusively on Uebel clarinets, helping to advance their design philosophy and global recognition through his expertise and artistry.

In addition to his orchestral and design work, Morales is a dedicated educator, serving on the faculties of the Juilliard School and Temple University’s Boyer College of Music. His teaching reflects the same clarity, discipline, and musical imagination that define his performances — inspiring a new generation of clarinetists around the world.

Highlights of Career

  • Principal Clarinet, The Philadelphia Orchestra

  • Former Principal Clarinet, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

  • International soloist and chamber musician

  • Current performing artist and collaborator with Uebel Clarinets (Germany)

  • Former collaborator in design and development of Backun MOVA Clarinet

  • Faculty: The Juilliard School and Temple University Boyer College of Music

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Weight 5 lbs
Dimensions 15 × 11 × 5 in

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