The composer and violin virtuoso Johann Stamitz not only established the world-famous Mannheim school in the 18th century but is known among clarinettists above all for presumably being the first to present them with a true solo concerto. Even though Stamitz left it at just this one concerto, it has enjoyed great popularity since its rediscovery in the 20th century and has become a standard work in the concert repertoire. Due to its moderate technical demands, it is ideally suited for music students as a “first” solo concerto, and as preparation for the more demanding solo parts of Mozart, Weber and Spohr. The newly prepared piano reduction was undertaken with a view to make it easy to play so that also less experienced piano players can undertake the accompaniment of the soloist; a renowned clarinettist, editor Nicolai Pfeffer also contributes suggestions for the cadenzas – the result is an ideal Urtext edition for student recitals and music schools.
Content/Details
- Clarinet Concerto B flat major
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About the composer
Johann Stamitz
A Bohemian composer and violinist, regarded as a founder of the Mannheim School. Under him, the musical life at the Palatinate court and in its orchestra experienced a golden age. He occupies a prominent position in the history of the symphonie concertante. Along with over 60 symphonies, he wrote numerous concerti and chamber music works (among other things).
| 1717 | Born in Německý Brod, the son of an organist; baptized on June 19. |
| 1728–34 | He attends the Jesuit secondary school in Jihlava. |
| 1734–35 | Studies at the University of Prague. |
| around 1741 | Becomes violinist in the Mannheim court chapel. |
| 1742 | On June 29 in Frankfurt am Main, he gives a concert on the violin, the viola d’amore, the cello, and the double bass for the imperial coronation of Charles VII. |
| from 1743 | As concertmaster of the Mannheim court orchestra, he builds up a group of violinists that significantly improves the quality of the ensemble. |
| 1750 | On February 27, he is promoted to instrumental music director. Under his direction, the Mannheim Orchestra rises to become one of the most popular and skilled of its day. |
| 1751–53 | At the Palatinate court he occupies the position of deputy music director under Ignaz Holzbauer. |
| 1754 | His symphonies and concerti are performed in Paris, enabling him to establish himself as a composer and virtuoso there. He composes for occasions hosted by the fermier général (tax-farmer general) Alexandre Jean Joseph Le Riche de la Poupelinière and assumes direction of his private choir in Passy. |
| 1755 | A publishing privilege dated August 29 allows him to publish his works in Paris. In September he makes his way back to Mannheim. |
| 1757 | Burial in Mannheim on March 30. |
About the authors
Nicolai Pfeffer (Editor, Cadenzas)
Nicolai Pfeffer took up his studies of the clarinet at the Musikhochschule Köln, Germany in the master class of Ralph Manno in 2004. Following that he was a visiting student at Indiana University (USA) in the class of Howard Klug where, among other things, he gained valuable musical incentive from the Vienna clarinet player and composer Alfred Prinz. Master classes with Sharon Kam, Karl Leister, Sabine Meyer, Alan Hacker and many more followed. Alongside his expansive artistic activities Pfeffer is enthusiastically devoted to new editions of chamber music and solo compositions for clarinet.
Numerous projects relating to music education and introduction, cinema and film music recordings. as well as TV and radio recordings for German broadcasters such as WDR Köln, Hessischer Runkdfunk and ARD round off his work as a musician. Nicolai Pfeffer teaches clarinet and clarinet didactics at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln.