Crusell, Bernhard Henrik

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Crusell, Bernhard Henrik

Crusell, Bernhard Henrik , noted Finnish clarinetist and composer; b. Uusikaupunki, near Turku, Oct. 15, 1775; d. Stockholm, July 28, 1838. He took clarinet lessons from a member of the military band at Svaeborg Castle, then moved to Stockholm in 1791, where he studied with Abbe Vogler. While improving his general knowledge of music, Crusell continued to play the clarinet. In 1798 he went to Berlin to study with Franz Tausch. In 1803 he went to Paris, where he studied composition with Berton and Gossec. In his instrumental music, Crusell followed the tradition of Gluck. His vocal works reveal Nordic traits. In Sweden he acted as translator of opera librettos for Stockholm productions. The Swedish Academy awarded him its gold medal shortly before his death.

Works

ORCH three clarinet concertos (1811, 1818, 1828); Concertante for Horn, Bassoon, Clarinet, and Orch. (1816); Introduction et air suedois for Clarinet and Orch. (1830); Coi/certino for Bassoon and Orch. CHAMBER : three quartets for\Clarinet and Strings (1811, 1817, 1823); three clarinet duos (18-); Divertimento for Oboe and Strings (1823). VOCAL: 37 songs” for Chorus; Den lilla slavinnan (The Little Slave Girl; Stockholm, Feb. 18, 1824).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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