Franz Krommer

Concerto for Two Clarinets in Eb, op. 35, P. III:3

            Krommer was born in Moravia, but like so many artists from that time and place, he spent his career moving easily throughout the vast, multi-ethnic Austro-Hungarian Empire.  That’s why his name, like that of everyone from Liszt to Stamitz was traditionally given in the German form.  His real name was František Vincenc Kramář.   Serving at times in Hungary and Austria, he ended his distinguished career in Vienna, where he was composer for the Imperial Court.  Today, it is not generally appreciated in this country the degree to which Czech composers and performers were an integral part of the music scene in Vienna in centuries past.  Krommer is a typical example of their importance, and while certainly not a household word today, at the time he was well known and respected--ev

Concerto for Two Clarinets in Eb, op. 91, P. III:18

            Krommer was born in Moravia, but like so many artists from that time and place, he spent his career moving easily throughout the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire.  Serving at times in Hungary and Austria, he ended his distinguished career in Vienna, where he was composer for the Imperial Court.  Today, it is not generally appreciated in this country the degree to which Czech composers and performers were an integral part of the music scene in Vienna in centuries past.  Krommer is a typical example of their importance, and while certainly not a household word, today, at the time he was well known and respected--even seen as one of Beethoven’s rivals.  Living through the lives of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, his musical style reflects the span of them all, as he evolved from a “p