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The Digital Baermann

Jahns, Friedrich Wilhelm von (1809-1888)

German scholar specialising in Carl Maria von Weber, also singing teacher and composer.

23 letters between Jahns and Baermann are listed individually on this site, corresponding to the holdings in D-B and the online Weber-Gesamtausgabe. However, the catalogue of the Baermann estate sale in 1922 indicates that there were originally 52 items dating from between 1864-1884. It is possible that the letters that do not relate to Weber have been separated at some point.

Catalogue description: "Wundervolle sich über zwei Dezenn’en [sic] erstreckende Korrespondenz mit dem Klarinettisten Carl Bärmann, grössten Teils über die Kompositionen und das Leben Carl Maria von Webers, an dessen Biographie Jähns arbeitete." Henrici, Autographen-Sammlung, 1922, 41.

Warrack, John. "Jähns, Friedrich Wilhelm". Grove Music Online. 2001.

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Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 30 October 1864 From Carl Baermann, München, 30 October 1864
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 21
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtaugabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on July 25, 2023

Summary Baermann praises Jahns’s efforts with regard to Weber and his music. He answers Jahns’s questions about the additional cadenza passage in the F minor clarinet concerto added by Heinrich Baermann, stating that it had Weber’s ‘full approval’ ['volle Beistimmung']; he also gives his opinion on a cadenza for the Concertino in E flat by Heinrich; he discusses the authenticity of a manuscript of the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, which is partly in Weber’s hand and partly in Heinrich’s. He refers to Heinrich’s tendency to give away manuscript letters and scores by Weber as gifts, and tells of how a collection of 30 letters and sketches were lost during a visit to Berlin. He refers Jahns to the widow of the clarinetist J. G. Kotte in Dresden, who he suggests may have more information on the whereabouts of some manuscripts including the Concertino op. 26. He gives information about the relationship between Weber, Hermstädt and Heinrich Baermann in relation to the Grand Duo op. 48, which he says Weber did not dedicated to Hermstädt out of respect for Heinrich. He then states that the Silvana variations op. 33 were jointly composed by Weber and Heinrich. He then reports his efforts to locate Weber’s Trauer-Musik (JV 116) for Jahns in institutions in Munich, without success. Finally, Baermann encloses a photograph of himself and encourages Jahns to reciprocate, expressing the wish that they meet in Munich the following year.
Excerpt: Baermann on his father's cadenzas
"Die Cadenz im Concertino ist von meines Vaters Hand hineingeschrieben*, doch würde ich Sie bitten keinen Werth hierauf zu legen, da erstens mein Vater die Cadenzen sehr nach seinen Launen componirte und heute eine spielte welche er morgen wieder verwarf, und zweitens gerade die in die Partitur eingeschriebene mir offen gesagt als gänzlich unpaßend für dieses kleine liebenswürdige Stück erscheint, da dieselbe viel zu groß und prätentiös auftritt, und so das Stück aus seinen Rahmen herauswirft."

"The cadenza in the Concertino is written in my father's hand, but I would ask you not to attach any importance to it, firstly because my father composed the cadenzas very much according to his whims and played one today which he discarded tomorrow, and secondly because the one written in the score frankly seems to me to be completely unsuitable for this charming little piece, as it appears far too large and pretentious and thus throws the piece out of its framework."

Post-edited Deepl translation

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Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 18 March 1865 From Carl Baermann, München, 18 March 1865
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 23
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtaugabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023.

Summary Baermann writes affectionately, apologising for his slow reply. He answers Jahns’s questions regarding Weber's Peter Schmoll Overture; the oboe arrangement of the Concertino for Clarinet; a version of the Clarinet Concerto in F minor that replaces the horns with male voices (made by Heinrich Baermann for a memorial concert after Weber’s death); changes to the Silvana Variations for Clarinet and Piano op. 33 that reflect ‘the virtuoso spirit of the performance’; the aria ‘Non Parventar Mia Vita’; and the duet ‘Mille Volte’ op. 31/1. He signs off saying that he must attend to a pupil who is ‘fantasy-ing impatiently’ ['ziemlich ungeduldig fantasieren'] in the next room, before going to the opera.

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Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 14 April 1871 From Carl Baermann, München, 14 April 1871
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 28
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Source Baermann writes to advise Jahns on presenting his Weber-Werkverzeichnisses to the Bavarian king, in particular which members of the court to approach for assistance. He reports that his daughter Therese is in Berlin and that his son Fritz distinguished himself in the Franco-Prussian War the previous year.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 19 June 1869 From Carl Baermann, München, 19 June 1869
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 27
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtaugabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann discusses the attribution of an enclosed manscript of a Weber work for piano, offering his opinion that it is not genuine and reports of his difficulty in researching whether Weber’s opera Silvana was performed in Munich. He then discusses at length plans for his new edition of the Weber clarinet compositions for Lineau in Berlin. He asks Jahns to enquire of Lineau on his behalf whether they are planning to re-engrave the orchestral parts of the concertos. He signs off commenting that he is has ‘a terrible migraine and [is] drunk with Tristan rehearsals’.

Baermann on his editions of Weber
Now I will tell you something else that will interest you in part, since it also concerns Weber. This winter I received from Mr Rob: Lienau /: Schlesinger'sche Musikhandlung in Berlin :/* the commission to correct all clarinet compositions by Weber, as he intends to publish a completely new edition of them. I have now done this with the greatest certainty and love for the matter, and worked on it restlessly for over 2 months. But dear friend, what have I seen! It is quite unbelievable in what a state not only the principal part, but especially the piano parts of the two concertos were in. I had to redo the latter completely, since not a single note was to be used. Not only were there a lot of wrong harmonies and positions, there were even many transposed bars, and so have these compositions been handed over to the public for more than 40 years. I have only now come across these dreadful excerpts, otherwise I would have contacted the relevant authority earlier. The clarinet part itself was also in such a state that I am no longer surprised that these compositions were so horribly misused by all clarinettists, for there was no sign of performance, realisation, correct tempo or any kind of articulation. I have now given everything with the greatest accuracy, namely as these compositions were performed by my father and Weber himself, as I believe that I am the only living person who was able to do this. You will probably find some deviations in the markings, but these deviations were all deemed necessary by Weber himself, as they arose from his later development of taste, and the works had already been printed earlier. Similarly, individual passages were only submitted to the printer in draft form, as it were, such as the 3rd variation /: Adagio :/ in the Variations with Clavier, which is actually composed by my father, as I have (I believe) written to you before, and the clarinet part as it is printed has actually only provided a point of reference for the clavier player. I have now given all these passages exactly as they were played by my father with Weber, and you will be surprised at the significant difference. I have also inserted the passage that Weber added later in the F minor Concerto in the 1st Allegro 1st part with cadenza*, and thus corrected everything as it should actually be. I believe that the concertos and other compositions will now be much better understood and enjoyed, and I hope that you are satisfied with this work. -

Post-edited Deepl translation. For original transcription see below.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 19 March 1872 From Carl Baermann, München, 19 March 1872
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. V (Mappe XIX), Abt. 5 A, Nr. 42b
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann writes to Jahns giving details of the jubilee celebrations for the trumpeter Metzkopp, who had played in every performance of Der Freischutz at the court theatre for 50 years.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 22 April 1871 From Carl Baermann, München, 22 April 1871
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 29
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann writes to Jahns that he has petitioned the royal counsellor Düfflipp on Jahns’s behalf and that he can now send a copy of his Weber-Werkverzeichnisses for presentation to Ludwig II. He offers advice on what to write both to the King and to Düfflipp. In a postscript Baermann asks Jahns to send a kiss to his daughter Therese.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 27 February 1872 From Carl Baermann, München, 27 February 1872
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. V (Mappe XIX), Abt. 5 A, Nr. 42a
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann writes that he has been much occupied by visitors. He answers a question posed by Jahns about how many performances of Der Freischutz have been given in Munich and tells of the regiment and theatre trumpet player Adam Metzkopp who has participated in every performance over 50 years. Baermann asks Jahns to communicate with the publisher Robert Lineau about a number of his works Lineau has asked to see, namely ‘clarinet compositions, my violoncello concerto and some songs’. He signs off saying that he is on his way to rehearse Das Rheingold.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 18 October 1878 From Carl Baermann, München, 18 October 1878
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 34
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann write to Jahns that he has been occupied with recent celebrations for the centenary of the court theatre, and encloses an unspecified document, presumably relating to a work by Weber. He regrets that he is not able to supply the same information in relation to Silvana or Abu Hassan. Baermann then writes in detail about his poor health, including pain in his feet. He also details the hearing problems and tinnitus that he suffered from for several months, even transcribing the auditory disturbance he heard, but relating that the condition has been improved by treatment. Baermann then goes on to complain about the political situation and recent events at the Reichstag, which included two assassination attempts on the Kaiser. Based on this, WeGA concludes that Baermann was a conservative (see note on transcription for further details). Baermann closes the letter asking for news of Jahns.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 22 November 1877 From Carl Baermann, München, 22 November 1877
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. IV B [Mappe XVII], zu Nr. 1349 H. (1)
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on August 17, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann writes of his ill health which has delayed him from assisting Jahns with his research. He encloses ‘the result of my research’ along with a playbill from the first performance of Der Freischutz in Munich. Baermann repeats the story of the trumpeter Metzkopp who took part in over 200 performances of Der Freischutz over 50 years, already related in a previous letter, reporting that Metzkopp died the previous year. He gives his opinion on a purported 3rd clarinet concerto by Weber, which he agrees is inauthentic, and jokes about its lack of compositional skill. Baermann asks Jahns for assistance in communicating with the publisher Lineau, relating that he lost of catalogue of his own compositions in a change of residence and now cannot remember which of his 131 songs have already been published or with which publisher. Finally he sends greetings of family and friends.
Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns to Carl Baermann, 15 May 1868 From Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, Berlin, 15 May 1868
To Carl Baermann

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 1106
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Jahns replies to Baermann’s letter of 14 May, thanking him affectionately for his answers and opinions, and accepts Baermann’s account of the provenance of the scores of Weber’s F Minor Concerto.. He reports that he has Weber's music for Heinrich Baermann’s name day (Burlesque, JV 180). He also warmly compliments Baermann’s opinions on the Quintet and Grand Duo Concertante. He then goes on to convey his own notes, but at this point the fragmentary letter breaks off.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 14 May 1868 From Carl Baermann, Munich, 14 May 1868
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 26
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtaugabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann answers Jahns’s queries about the provenance of two scores of the Weber’s Concerto in F Minor, asserting that his holograph is the earlier one and that the later copy was made for Weber and contains his alterations based on performances by Heinrich Baermnn. He then gives his opinion of the compositional merit of the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings and the Grand Duo Concertant.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 19 April 1868 From Carl Baermann, München, 19 April 1868
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 25
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtaugabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023)
Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann provides a series of clarifications in response to questions from Jahns about Weber’s works. He then responds in more detail to questions about the works for clarinet and orchestra. He contests Jahns’s apparent assertion that the E flat concerto is the superior work, claiming the F minor concerto to be freer, more ‘sublime’ and inventive, ‘all fresh and free from Weber’s breast’. He goes on to claim that his father loved the work more and that Mendelssohn considered it ‘more spiritual’. Baermann further remembers hearing from his father than Weber felt the same, but is not certain.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 21 November 1876 From Carl Baermann, München, 21 November 1876
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 32
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann thanks Jahns for his last letter, agreeing with his sentiment that life is like a theatre. He reports that he is unable to find further information on the performance of an opera Ines de Castro, but has discovered manuscripts of two vocal works in the Music Academy. He supplies further details but apologises that he is not permitted to send the scores. Finally, he gives news of his family: his distress that his wife Barbara has been taken ill and confined to a lunatic asylum; and that his son Fritz (Friedrich) and daughter Marie have lately been married, the latter to ’a manor owner near Danzig, Mr Georg Hepner-Schwintsch’.
Baermann on life and theatre
Ja wohl haben Sie recht wenn Sie dieses Erdenleben mit einem Theater und uns armes Menschengewürm mit den Comedianten vergleichen. Wohl tausend u tausendmal hab ich dasselbe gefühlt, gedacht und ausgesprochen, und selten daß ich in einem Theater oder Puppenspiel gewesen in welchem nicht dieser Gedanke mich durchkreutzte, und ich mir dachte was sich im Theater in Kleinen zeigt, erfüllt sich außen im Großen, und der liebe Gott führt da außen seine Lust- Schau- und Trauerspiele auf. Nun wenn nur jeder seine Rolle so gut als möglich spielt, dann denke ich kann kommen was mag u. muß.

Yes, you are right when you compare this earthly life with a theatre and us poor human worms with the comedians. I have felt, thought and spoken the same thing a thousands and thousands of times, and rarely have I been in a theatre or puppet show where this thought did not cross my mind and I thought to myself that what is shown in the theatre on a small scale is fulfilled outside on a large scale, and the good Lord performs his comic and tragic plays out there. Now if only everyone plays his part as well as possible, then I think what may and must come can come.

Post-edited Deepl translation
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 21 August 1865 From Carl Baermann, Schliersee, 21 August 1865
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 24
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtaugabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann apologises for not replying to Jahns’s last letter, citing the exhaustion brought on by the rehearsals for the premiere of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. He reports that he has been for six weeks in a Bavarian mountain village recovering and asks for Jahns’s assistance for a young musician friend who is travelling to Berlin.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 15 April 1872 From Carl Baermann, München, 15 April 1872
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 30
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann writes to Jahns enclosing material from the 50th anniversary jubilee performance of Der Freischutz at the court theatre.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 10 December 1878 From Carl Baermann, München, 10 December 1878
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann writes to Jahns briefly, on account of his poor health. He confirms that certain additional bars in the finale of Der Freischutz, which were omitted from various contemporary performance materials including those in Munich, were reinstated by von Bulow. Baermann relates the birth of two further grandchildren to his daughters Marie and Therese, bringing his total to 9. He signs off stating that his doctor wishes him to refrain from letter-writing.
Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns to Carl Baermann, 14 May 1879 From Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, Berlin, 14 May 1879
To Carl Baermann

Source D-Hs, Hs. Mappe Nr. 10
See also Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on June 23, 2023. Open source in new window. No digitisation or transcription currently available.

Summary "Mentions Baermann's last letter of 18 October 1878, complains about the bad weather since January, asks about his ear problems, his own illnesses, he is now 70. Asks him to enquire whether Peter Schmoll was performed in Munich in 1802, Schletterer in Augsburg owns a libretto of it with the publication date: Weber himself only mentions one performance in Augsburg in his autobiography, he wanted to leave no stone unturned for his supplement to the WV." Post-edited Deepl translation of WeGA summary.
Carl Baermann to Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, 16 June 1879 From Carl Baermann, München, 16 June 1879
To Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 36
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023. Open source in new window.

Summary Baermann apologises for not replying sooner to Jahns’s last letter on account, but he has been busy ‘preparing 9 pieces of music for engraving’, as well as being visited by his daughters Fany and Marie and their children. He responds to Jahn’s enquiry about Weber's Peter Schmoll, writing that there is no record of it having been performed in Munich, and neither did his father ever mention one. Baermann writes of his plans to visit Marie in Schwintsch along with his son Carl from 15 July for 6-7 weeks, and hopes that he might meet Jahns in Berlin on his return journey in early September. He excuses his brief letter, saying he is anxious at the ‘debt of correspondence’ that was built up unanswered.
Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns to Carl Baermann, 30 March 1865 From Friedrich Wilhelm von Jahns, Berlin, 30 March 1865
To Carl Baermann

Source D-B, Weberiana Cl. X, Nr. 1085
Transcription Complete Works of Carl Maria von Weber. Digital Edition, Weber-Gesamtausgabe (Version 4.8.1 of August 21, 2023) Last change of this document on May 2, 2023.
Summary Jahns replies to Baermann’s letter of 18 March, sharing his laments over the lack of time available for correspondence. Jahns discusses the differences between sources of the Peter Schmoll Overture and dedications of this and other works by Weber, disputing Max von Weber’s assertion that his father was apolitical.

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