Weber: Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor, op. 73
Carl Maria von Weber
Work title
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor, op. 73
Composition date
1811
Manuscript sources
Autograph score from Weber's private library in D-B ms. autogr. C. M. v. Weber WFN 11.
Autograph copy in Weber's hand, previously owned and used by Heinrich and Carl Baermann, in US-Wc ML30.8b .W4 (see below). This score contains various annotations and alterations, including the insertion of the 16-bar 'Baermann cadenza' in the first movement.
A number of annotations added and subsequently deleted from US-Wc do not have parallels in the later Baermann edition. These likely reflect the ongoing development of the Baermann's performance practices as well as what information they felt needed to be conveyed to the orchestra in rehearsal and performance. The following is based solely on examination of the digitised score; an in-person inspection may yield more information.
I b. 47: [pause symbol]
I b. 96: 'ritard'
I b. 278 indications to slow down: both Weber's hand and subsequent annotations have been excised
II 18–20: alternating Forte and Piano markings on each phrase.
III b. 124: 'poco meno'
III b. 282: 'Tempo I'
III b. 332: 'piu allegro'
Early Prints
First edition, supervised by Weber: Schlesinger pl. 1177 (1824), piano version digitised by D-Mbs 4 Mus.pr. 89.717.
Carl Baermann Edition
Robert Lineau/Schlesinger, pl. S. 1177 (1870). Available commercially as part of the Henle Urtext edition (see below), and as Lineau RL36270.
Significant additions and alterations to all aspects of the music, including the inclusion of the 16-bar 'Baermann cadenza' in the 1st movement, as well as metronome marks for movements and sections.
Metronome marks:
I Allegro: crotchet = 108
b. 110 con anima: 'Tempo ritenuto' crotchet = 92
b. 130 lusingando e con espressione: 'Con moto': crotchet = 100
b. 145: 'Tempo I': crotchet = 112
b. 170: 'Un poco ritenuto': crotchet = 92
b. 192: grazioso: 'Tempo I': crotchet = 100
II Adagio ma non troppo crotchet = 46
b. 31 Poco più animato: crotchet = 66
III 'Allegro' [Weber: Allegretto]: crotchet = 120
Modern Editions
Henle 731, edited by Norbert Gertsch. Henle (2002). Urtext version based on the MS sources and first edition, alongside Baermann's edition.
Weber Sämtliche Werke V Bd. 6., Schott WGA 1056 (2010), edited by Frank Heidlberger. Also available as Schott KLB 78 (piano reduction, first edition version only) and Eulenberg ETP 1902 (miniature score with parallel clarinet parts).
Notes
See prefaces and critical commentaries to the urtexts by Gertsch (2002) and Heidlberger (2010) for further information.
