Bernhard Crusell
Bernhard Henrik Crusell (15 October 1775 – 28 July 1838)
Early life and training
Crusell was born in Uusikaupunki (Swedish: Nystad), Finland, into a poor family of bookbinders. His grandfather, Bernhard Kruselius had learned the trade of bookbinding in Turku and Stockholm, then settled in Pori where he fathered nine children, including Crusell's father Jakob, who also became a bookbinder. In 1765, after Jakob completed his apprenticeship, he moved to Uusikaupunki and married Helena Ylander, but she died about one year later. In 1769 he married Margaretha Messman. The couple had four children, but Bernhard was the only one who lived to become an adult.[4] Later in life Crusell described this period of his life, writing in the third person:
In his little town of birth there was only one person who had an active interest in music: a shop assistant who could be heard in the evenings playing the flute for his own amusement. One night, the four-year-old Berndt was sitting in the street, leaning against a wall, on top of the world with admiration for the sweet melodies. His parents, who had been looking for their son for a long time, scolded him severely, but this could not stop the boy from returning to his favourite spot the next evening. This time he got a beating for his disobedience, but as it was to no avail, they left him to his "craze", confident that he would come back home as soon as the flute went silent...[5]
When Crusell was eight, the family moved to Perttula,[6] the rural village of Nurmijärvi about 23 miles north of Helsinki.[4] His innate interest in music continued, and he learned to play a friend's clarinet by ear.[7] He soon began to receive training from a member of the Nyland regimental band.[8]
In 1788, when he was thirteen, another family friend, aware of the young man's natural ability, took him to see Major O. Wallenstjerna at Sveaborg (
Career as a clarinetist
In Stockholm, Crusell continued his studies and established himself as a clarinet soloist. In 1792, at age sixteen, he received an appointment as the director of the regimental band, and in 1793 became principal clarinet with the Hovkapellet (Royal Court Orchestra), which was directed by his composition teacher, the German composer Abbé Vogler. In 1798 he received financial assistance which enabled him to live in Berlin for a few months and study with the well-known German clarinetist Franz Tausch (1762–1817).[7] Tausch had founded the German school of clarinet playing which emphasized beauty of tone over technique.[11] Crusell's progress was swift, and he performed at concerts in Berlin and Hamburg before returning to Sweden. The review of the Hamburg concert in the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung was positive.[12]
Crusell lived in Sweden for the rest of his life, going back to Finland only once. After a trip to
In Stockholm Crusell had become acquainted with the French ambassador to Sweden. This friendship encouraged and enabled him to undertake a trip to Paris in 1803. There he performed and also studied clarinet with Jean-Xavier Lefèvre at the newly formed Conservatoire.[7] On 2 June, with the encouragement of Lefèvre, he purchased a new mouthpiece made by Michel Amlingue and on 14 September a six-key C clarinet made by Jean Jacques Baumann.[14] Before about 1800 Crusell had been playing with the reed turned up, but later turned it down, the modern practice and a position more compatible with cantabile playing.[8] Exactly when he did this is not well established, but he may have favored the reed-above position because of a lack of evenness in his teeth.[15]
Around this time the
In June 1811 Crusell made another trip to see Tausch in Berlin, and the two men discussed clarinets. Later that month he visited a benefactor in Leipzig, and in July he purchased a new instrument from Heinrich Grenser in Dresden. His Grenser clarinet was an advanced design for the time, with eleven keys. (A picture of Crusell's Grenser clarinet can be found here.) Later, in 1822, he again went to Dresden and purchased additional clarinets from the Grenser shop's successor, Grenser & Wiesner, and from Carl Gottlob Bormann. The Stockholm Music Museum possesses five clarinets made by Grenser & Wiesner in 1822 or later, four with eleven, and one with ten keys.[16]
During his career Crusell became increasingly well known as a clarinet soloist, not only in Sweden but also in Germany, and even in England.
Career as a composer
Between 1791 and 1799 Crusell studied music theory and composition with
From 1818 to 1837 during the summers he conducted
Other accomplishments and awards
Crusell was skilled with languages, translating the important Italian, French, and German operas for performances in Sweden. His translation of Mozart's
Crusell Music Festival
Since 1982 a Crusell Week has been held each summer in Uusikaupunki, Finland (Bernhard Crusell's place of birth). The festival is dedicated to music for woodwind instruments. Crusell Week's Artistic Director is Jussi Särkkä .[18]
List of musical works
Dates of composition and first publication and other information are from Asiado,
Soloist with orchestra
- Clarinet Concerto in E-flat major, Op. 1
- Movements: Allegro – Adagio – Rondo. Allegretto
- Completed in 1808? or 1810; published Leipzig, A. Kühnel, 1811, plate no. 907 (after 1814 reprinted by C. F. Peters).
- Duration: ca. 22 minutes.
- Other publications:
- Edition by Fabian Dahlström with assistance of Margareta Rörby. Stockholm: Edition Reimers, 1995, full score (xxi, 158 pages; includes prefatory notes in English and Swedish and "Critical commentary", pp. 153–158) OCLC 34351150.
- Edition for clarinet and piano by Brent Coppenbarger. Wiesbaden [etc.]: Breitkopf & Härtel, 2000 (copyright 1990, Monteux: Musica Rara), score (45 pages) and part OCLC 66044639.
- Edition for clarinet and piano by Pamela Weston. Vienna: Universal Edition, 1990, score (30 pages) and part (11 pages) OCLC 316025438.
- Urtext Edition for clarinet and piano by Nicolai Pfeffer. Munich: Henle, 2016, cat. no. HN 1208, score (31 pages) and part (11 pages), ISMN 979-0-2018-1208-3.
- Edition by Fabian Dahlström with assistance of Margareta Rörby. Stockholm: Edition Reimers, 1995, full score (xxi, 158 pages; includes prefatory notes in English and Swedish and "Critical commentary", pp. 153–158)
- Clarinet Concerto in F minor, Op. 5 ("Grand")
- Movements: Allegro – Andante pastorale – Rondo. Allegretto
- First performed 1815; published Leipzig, C. F. Peters, 1817, plate no. 1335.
- Duration: ca. 24 minutes.
- Other publications:
- Edition for clarinet and piano, with cadenza, by Jost Michaels. Hamburg: Sikorski, ca. 1962, plate H.S.549, cat. no. 549, score (35 pages) and part .
- Edition for clarinet and piano by Pamela Weston. Vienna: Universal Edition, 1991, score (29 pages) and part (11 pages) OCLC 26218888.
- Urtext Edition for clarinet and piano by Nicolai Pfeffer. Munich: Henle, 2015, cat. no. HN 1209, score (31 pages) and part (11 pages), ISMN 979-0-2018-1209-0.
- Clarinet Concerto in B-flat major, Op. 11
- Movements: Allegro risoluto – Andante moderato – Alla polacca
- Composed ca. 1807?, later revised and published Leipzig, C. F. Peters, 1829, plate no. 2077.
- Duration: ca. 25 minutes.
- Other publications:
- Edited by Mayer. New York: Edition Peters.
- Edition for clarinet and piano by Bieger/ Foerster. New York: Edition Peters.
- Edition for clarinet and piano by Pamela Weston. Vienna: Universal Edition, 1988, cat. no. 18267, score (36 pages) and part (12 pages) .
- Urtext Edition for clarinet and piano by Nicolai Pfeffer. Munich: Henle, 2015, cat. no. HN 1210, score (32 pages) and part (12 pages), ISMN 979-0-2018-1210-6.
- Sinfonia concertante in B-flat major, for clarinet, horn, bassoon and orchestra, Op. 3
- Movements: Allegro – Andante sostenuto – Allegro ma non tanto
- First performed 1804; revised and published Leipzig, C. F. Peters, 1830.
- Other publications:
- Amsterdam: KW-Verlag, 1961, score (68 pages) and 22 parts .
- Piano reduction. Amsterdam: KaWe, 1981; plate KW50a, score (18 pages); plate K.51W, 3 solo parts OCLC 314418643.
- Concertino in B-flat major, for bassoon and orchestra
- Completed and published Leipzig, C. F. Peters, 1829.
- Other publications:
- Arrangement for bassoon and piano by Harri Ahmas. Helsinki: Musiikki Fazer Musik, 1984, FM 06658-9, score (33 pages) and part (8 pages) OCLC 49790635.
- Helsinki, Fennica Gehrman Oy, 2015: score (87 pages) and parts, ISMN 979-0-55011-250-6.
- Arrangement for bassoon and piano by Harri Ahmas. Helsinki: Musiikki Fazer Musik, 1984, FM 06658-9, score (33 pages) and part (8 pages)
- Introduction et Air suedois, for clarinet and orchestra, Op. 12
- Alternate title: Introduction and Variations for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 12
- Based on a popular song "Supvisa" by Olof Åhlström
- First performed in 1804 as Variationer på visan: Goda gosse, glaset töm (Variations on the song: "Dear boy, empty the glass")
- Revised and published Leipzig, 1830.
- Other publications:
- Airs suedois for bassoon and orchestra (1814)
- This work is often confused with Introduction et Air suedois for clarinet and orchestra above. It is an entirely different piece. Airs suedois for bassoon has remained relatively obscure because of the loss of the full score. It is nevertheless a fine and interesting work.
- Orchestrated by OCLC 83527195.
- Solo bassoon part and composer's piano reduction published by Emerson Edition, edited by Graham Sheen
Chamber music
- Quartet in E-flat major for clarinet, violin, viola and cello, Op. 2
- Composed 1807?; published Leipzig, A. Kühnel, 1811.
- Other publications:
- Quartet in C minor for clarinet, violin, viola and cello, Op. 4
- Composed 1804?; published Leipzig, C. F. Peters, 1817.
- Other publications:
- Quartet in D major for clarinet, violin, viola and cello, Op. 7
- Composed 1821?; published Leipzig, C. F. Peters, 1823, cat. nos. 1723 and 1783B.
- Other publications:
- Edition Peters, cat. no. EKB 040.[21]
- Transcription for oboe in C major by Kurt Meier. Winterthur: Amadeus, 2002, score (16 pages) and 4 parts
- Quartet in D major for flute, violin, viola and cello, Op. 8 (Edition Peters EKB 056)[22]
- Arrangement of Op. 7
- Composed 1821?; published Leipzig, C. F. Peters, 1823.
- Other publications:
- Three clarinet duets: No. 1 in F major, No. 2 in D minor (score), No. 3 in C major
- Concert Trio (Potpourri) for clarinet, horn, and bassoon
- Edition by Bernhard Päuler. Winterthur: Amadeus, 2005, score (8 pages) and 3 parts .
- Arrangement by Stig Rybrant. Lidingö: Busch, 2007, score (12 pages) and parts OCLC 315794765.
- Divertimento in C major for oboe, two violins, viola and cello, Op. 9
- Free score at IMSLP.
- Dates: published Leipzig, C. F. Peters, 1823, cat. no. 1728.
- Other publications:
- Edition by Bernhard Päuler. Winterthur: Amadeus, 2003, score (15 pages) and 5 parts OCLC 164935031.
- Edition by Bernhard Päuler. Winterthur: Amadeus, 2003, score (15 pages) and 5 parts
- Free score at
Vocal works
- Sångstycken ("Songs")
- Texts by Esaias Tegnér and others
- Published Stockholm, 1822, 3 volumes. Vol 1 OCLC 187016006.
- Frithiofs saga (10 songs), for voice and piano
- Texts by Esaias Tegnér
- Published Stockholm, 1826; enlarged 1827.
- Other publications:
- Zwölf Gesänge aus der Frithiof's Saga (Twelve Songs from the Frithiof's Saga), translated from Swedish by Gottlieb Mohnike. Leipzig : C.F. Peters, [1827], score (28 pages) OCLC 35515659.
- Tolf sånger ur Frithiofs saga, Stockholm: Elkan & Schildknecht, [186-?], score (35 pages) OCLC 16449386.
- OCLC 473459716.
- Zwölf Gesänge aus der Frithiof's Saga (Twelve Songs from the Frithiof's Saga), translated from Swedish by Gottlieb Mohnike. Leipzig : C.F. Peters, [1827], score (28 pages)
- "From Ganges' beauteous strands" for voice, clarinet & piano
- From incidental music to Den lilla slafvinnan (The little bondswoman).
- Originally for soprano and chamber orchestra.
- Published Ampleforth, Yorkshire: Emerson Edition, 1980, score (22 pages) and 2 parts OCLC 7818366.
- "Oi terve Pohjola!" for vocal quartet
- Swedish title: "Hell dig, du höga Nord!" ("Hail, O Northland!")
- Also arranged for chorus.
- Probably Crusell's most famous composition in Finland.[7]
Music for stage
- Lilla slavinnan (The Little Slave Girl), opera in 3 acts
- Libretto by René Charles Guilbert de Pixérécourt; translated by Ulrik Emanuel Mannerhjerta and G. Lagerbjelke.
- First performed in Stockholm on 18 February 1824.
- Excerpts published Stockholm, 1824.
- Held at Stockholm's Kungliga Teaterns Bibliotek.
- Other publications:
- Libretto by
Citations and references
- Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland. urn:NBN:fi:sls-4496-1416928957102.
- OCLC 58221891, 249964610). He died in Stockholm. His dual Swedish-Finnish nationality is based on Fabian Dahlström, "Crusell, Bernhard Henrik" in Sadie2001.
- ^ a b c d See biography of Crusell by Tel Asiado at Mozart Forum Archived 8 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 31 January 2010.
- ^ a b Biography of B. H. Crusell at the Crusell Society website. Accessed 8 March 2010.
- ^ Biography of B. H. Crusell at the Crusell Society website (in Finnish). (For the translation of the quote, see Talk). Accessed 8 March 2010.
- ^ Composer Bernhard Henrik Crusell (1775–1838) (in Finnish). Accessed 8 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hillila and Hong, pp. 48–50.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Dahlström, Fabian (2001). "Crusell, Bernhard" in Sadie.
- ^ "Keski-Euroopan matkapäiväkirjat 1803–1822 (Crusell)" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ISBN 9789522220905.
- ^ Weston, Pamela (2001). "Tausch, Franz (Wilhelm)" in Sadie.
- ^ Rice, p. 166.
- ^ "In those days, Finland was undeniably a musical backwater. The centre of musical activities was Turku, where the Turku Society of Music (Turun Soitannollinen Seura), founded in 1790, had done invaluable work in promoting music and had set up an orchestra of its own. As a result of a war in 1808 and 1809, Sweden ceded Finland to Russia. Helsinki was made capital of the new autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland in 1812. The university was transferred to Helsinki after the great fire of Turku in 1828, spelling an end to Turku's role as the hub of Finnish music life" (Asiado).
- ^ Rice, pp. 30, 166–7, 223.
- ^ Rice, p. 255.
- ^ Rice, pp. 166–7, 255.
- ^ Rice, pp. 166, 255.
- ^ Crusell Music Festival – Uusikaupunki. Archived 11 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 11 March 2010.
- ^ Edition Peters – Quartet in E flat Major Op.2. Accessed 31 October 2016.
- ^ Edition Peters – Clarinet Quartet in c minor Op.4. Accessed 31 October 2016.
- ^ Edition Peters – Clarinet Quartet in D Major, [Op. 7]. Accessed 31 October 2016.
- ^ Edition Peters – Flute Quartet in D Major Op.8. Accessed 31 October 2016.
- ^ Edition Peters – Progressive Duets for Two Clarinets. Accessed 31 October 2016.
Cited sources
- Asiado, Tel (2004). "Bernhard Henrik Crusell (1775–1838). Swedish-Finnish clarinetist, composer and translator." at Mozart Forum.
- Hillila, Ruth-Esther and Barbara Blanchard Hong (1997). Historical dictionary of the music and musicians of Finland. Westport, Conn.: ISBN 978-0-313-27728-3.
- Rice, Albert R. (2003). The clarinet in the classical period. Oxford: Oxford University Press. OCLC 52514349.
- Sadie, Stanley, ed.; John Tyrell; exec. ed. (2001). OCLC 419285866(eBook).
- Winter, Helmer (1925). Berndt Henric Crusellin 150-vuotismuisto [Berndt Henric Crusell's 150th (birthday) anniversary]. Uusikaupunki: the author. .
Other sources
- Fabian Dahlström (1976). Bernhard Henrik Crusell : klarinettisten och hans större instrumentalverk / Fabian Dahlström. Wikidata Q113528513.
- Kallio, Ilmari (1994). Bernhard Henrik Crusell (1775–1838). Uusikaupunki: Crusell-Society. Language: Finnish. OCLC 246856237.
- Spicknall, John Payne (1974). The solo clarinet works of Bernard Henrik Crusell (1775–1838). Thesis—University of Maryland. OCLC 5665626.
- Wilson, Sven (1977). Bernhard Crusell: tonsättare, klarinettvirtuos. Stockholm: Kungliga Musikaliska Akademien (OCLC 4882756.
External links
- Free scores by Bernhard Crusell at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
- Biography at Mozart-Forum.
- Biography at the Finnish Crusell Society website.
- History of the genesis of the concertos Opus 5 and Opus 11
- Naxos recording of the clarinet concertos with Karl Leister.
- Crusell Music Festival – Uusikaupunki Archived 11 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
- "Bernhard Crusell". Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland. urn:NBN:fi:sls-4496-1416928957102.
- Swedish Musical Heritage - Bernhard Crusell