Bernhard Henrik Crusell

Clarinet Concerto B flat major Op. 11

Following our edition of the Grand Concerto in f minor op. 5 (HN1209), we are expanding our series of Crusell's clarinet concertos to include the one in B flat major op. 11. The Swedish composer was himself a prominent clarinet virtuoso and the concertos were tailor-made for himself so to speak. Despite being technically very demanding, the Concerto in B flat major avoids being overly virtuosic and wins us over with its melodic ingenuity. It is a very welcome addition to our early Romantic repertoire for the clarinet.

The clarinettist Nicolai Pfeffer edited the edition in an exemplary manner, consulting the sole surviving source, the first edition of 1829. Johannes Umbreit was responsible for the study score, which wonderfully fits the hands.