Krommer: Clarinet Concerto Op. 36 (History and Video) - Gabriel Blasberg

In just a few days (September 20, 2022), I will have the immense pleasure of performing a work that I truly love, though it is not among the most well-known pieces in the repertoire: the Clarinet Concerto Op. 36 in E-flat major by Czech composer Franz Krommer (1759–1831), whose original Czech name was František Vincenc Kramář. I had studied this concerto during my teenage years with a piano reduction, and now I will finally be able to perform it with an orchestra—as it was meant to be—which brings me great happiness. "Krommer composed this beautiful concerto in the Classical style in 1803. It features the traditional three movements: Allegro - Adagio - Rondo (Alla Polaca), with an approximate duration of 24 minutes. We will be presenting the Krommer Clarinet Concerto on three successive dates with the San Isidro Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Ramiro Soto Monllor. The program will be completed with Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 2, Op. 73 in D major.

The Live Experience: Krommer Clarinet Concerto (Full Recording)

As I mentioned above, performing this work with an orchestra was the fulfillment of a dream that began during my formative years. Following the three performances with the San Isidro Youth Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Soto Monllor, I am now able to share with you the full recording of one of those concerts.

In the following video, you can hear the concerto in its entirety, honoring the elegant and lively character that Franz Krommer infused into its three movements: the energetic Allegro, the expressive Adagio, and the brilliant Rondo (Alla Polaca).

About Franz Krommer

During the second half of the 18th century, many musicians emigrated from Bohemia or Moravia to Vienna hoping to secure a position at court. They were often quite successful, and their works sometimes even proved more popular than those of the famous masters! However, as the 19th century progressed and music history focused almost exclusively on the "immortals," less prominent composers were often completely forgotten. This not only hindered a deep understanding of the uninterrupted development of music from the Pre-Classical to the Romantic period but also deprived music lovers of a rich musical heritage worthy of being heard.

Franz Krommer

Among these "forgotten" composers of the Viennese Classical period, we find Franz Krommer, born in 1759 in Moravia and established in Vienna in 1795. He seemed to gain appreciation quickly, as his works began to be printed shortly after the turn of the century.

As was customary at the time, Krommer was a prolific composer, though he limited himself primarily to instrumental music—only a portion of which is accessible today. Krommer was a violinist, conductor, composer, and teacher of theory and composition.

His more than one hundred string quartets reveal an intimate knowledge of the works of Haydn and Mozart. For a time, his symphonies were quite popular—Schubert, however, was not very enthusiastic when he had to play them in his school orchestra! Since the 20th century, some of Krommer's concertos have come to light and are considered among his most outstanding works. They follow the pattern of Viotti's concertos, which had become the established model for an entire generation of composers. Most likely, some of the wind instrument concertos originated as violin concertos, as Krommer himself was an accomplished violinist. He probably transcribed them for wind instruments to meet the growing demand resulting from the increasing number of virtuosos who constantly needed new repertoire.

Upon Krommer's death in 1831, four years after Beethoven, his music fell into almost total oblivion. For a long time, the Viennese Classical period was largely considered the exclusive domain of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. A new historical understanding was needed before the works of minor composers received due appreciation. Along with the participation of prominent performers such as Peter Lukas Graf, Heinz Holliger, Thomas Friedli, and Antony Pay, a well-deserved and rewarding revival of Franz Krommer's elegant and lively music was brought about.

Much of Krommer's music shows the influence of the great figures of his time and follows the Viennese tradition. He was successful, and his works garnered much musical attention. However, his compositions exhibit few innovations, which might explain why his music did not remain popular. Interestingly, there is no evidence that Krommer was influenced by any particular clarinetist of his time, as Mozart and Weber were. The Clarinet Concerto Op. 36 was first published in 1803. Sources:

• Verena Weibel-Trachsler, for the album by Thomas Friedli, Antony Pay, and the English Chamber Orchestra.

• Bernard Portnoy, for The Clarinet magazine, Volume 24 No. 3, 1997.

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For those interested in studying this work, you can find the Open Cloud digital edition for clarinet and piano through specialized sites like Sheet Music Plus.

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