 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Craig C
Date: 2003-06-08 08:35
Hi, I was curious if anyone knows anything about the history/origins of the Beethoven 3 Duos for Clarinet and Bassoon? All I've been able to dig up with a cursory search online is they're Without Opus (WoO) 27, written from 1810-1815, and that it is questionable whether Beethoven actually authored them.
They're really fun pieces to do with a bassoonist friend. I located midi of them at http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Oeuvres/Music_MidiAutres.html#WoO27
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Author: Axel
Date: 2003-06-08 21:51
I have a edition of the Duos from the "Oestreichischer Bundesverlag" in 1950 with a foreword from Prof. Wildgans, Vienna, 1949. I'll try to translate, please excuse mistakes:
"As most of his chamber music, Beethoven has probably composed the 3 Duos for clarinet and bassoon by order for the purpose of private playing.
Nottebohm, who has given in his "Thematischer Katalog der Werke Beethovens" mostly very thorough but not always true information about year of composition, year of print and peculiarity and storing of the autograph. lists the Duos in his chapter "compositions without opus number". Any notes are lacking, except: "At the latest published in 1815 by Lefort, Paris and after 1828 by Andre, Offenbach (Germany). Editions: Score by Breitkopf & Haertel, parts by Breitkopf & Haertel and Andre".
Due to the style of the composition, Beethoven has probably composed the Duos in his early time, when Mozart and Haydn - like in some respect the Sonatines of Clementi"- had the strongest influence to the young Beethoven. RegardÃng the technic skill of the composition and handling of form, the good sounding and effective opus will probably not be composed in Beethoven's youth in Bonn. On the other hand, some parts are made remarkably superficial. The very obvious similiarity of the main theme from duo number 1 ( first set) to the second theme of Mozart's piano-trio g major, K. 496 (finished 1786) could lead to the opinion, that the Duos have been made in the following years, probably between1790 and 1795, when Mozart's trio got popular in Vienna. It is also possible, that the three Duos have been made in different periods. For Duo number three shows - especially in development - much more skill and maturity".
You see: Much suspect and few knowledge!
Kind regards
Axel
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-06-08 23:25
With all respect to the above verbosity of Prof. Wildgans of Vienna:
The Three Duos for Clarinet and Bassoon, WoO27 were most likely composed in 1792 (probably around the time Beethoven moved to Vienna), and published in Paris between 1810 and 1815.
Some think that the duos were written for Joseph Beer and Wenzel Mathauschek, two prominent Vienese musicians. Others suspect that the pieces were sketched out earlier, perhaps in Bonn, and used later when needed in Vienna.
There is speculation that 2 additional versions of the duos exist. Whether they were done by Beethoven has not been substantiated. One is purportedly for violin and cello, and the other for clarinet and viola. I have personally never seen or heard either of the two.
The 3 Duos were probably written about the same time (+/- 1792) as the Octet in Eb and the Rondino in Eb (which interestingly, may actually have been intended as an alternate finale to the Octet).
The choice of key signature would suggest for that Beethoven intended a clarinet in C for Duo No.1 and Duo No.2, and clarinet in Bb for Duo No.3...GBK
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-06-09 10:56
I am mosy sympathetic with the arguement these are not Beethoven....they are very low grade Beethoven....however, that is not to say they aren't fun to play and entertaining for audiences....
David Dow
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