Johann Simon Hermstedt
Encyclopedia
Johann Simon Hermstedt was one of the most famous clarinettists
of the 19th century. A German, he served as court clarinettist to Duke Günther I of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
, and taught the Duke to play the clarinet. All four of Louis Spohr
's clarinet concertos and several of his other clarinet works, as well as Carl Maria von Weber
's Grand duo concertant, were written with Hermstedt's skills in mind and were dedicated to him. Hermstedt also composed a few works for wind instruments himself.
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
of the 19th century. A German, he served as court clarinettist to Duke Günther I of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
Schwarzburg-Sondershausen was a small principality in Germany, in the present day state of Thuringia, with capital at Sondershausen.-History:...
, and taught the Duke to play the clarinet. All four of Louis Spohr
Louis Spohr
Louis Spohr was a German composer, violinist and conductor. Born Ludewig Spohr, he is usually known by the French form of his name. Described by Dorothy Mayer as "The Forgotten Master", Spohr was once as famous as Beethoven. As a violinist, his virtuoso playing was admired by Queen Victoria...
's clarinet concertos and several of his other clarinet works, as well as Carl Maria von Weber
Carl Maria von Weber
Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber was a German composer, conductor, pianist, guitarist and critic, one of the first significant composers of the Romantic school....
's Grand duo concertant, were written with Hermstedt's skills in mind and were dedicated to him. Hermstedt also composed a few works for wind instruments himself.