Did Weber write a third clarinet concerto?
Longtime readers of this blog know that there are several unsolved mysteries throughout clarinet history. One that I find particularly interesting is the possibility of Weber’s third clarinet concerto.
Most clarinetists are undoubtedly familiar with the clarinet works of Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826). His famous Concertino, Op. 26, Concerto No. 1 in f minor, Op. 73, and Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 74 were written in 1811 for German clarinet virtuoso Heinrich Baermann (1784-1847).These works have become standard clarinet repertoire and demonstrate the clarinet’s lyrical and technical capabilities.
If only Weber had composed another clarinet concerto…
According to Weber’s diary, he was working on a clarinet concerto for Johann Simon Hermstedt (1778-1846):
Saturday, February 4, 1815
“Composed Savoysches Lied and a Clar. Concerto for Hermstedt.”
Hermstedt was another German clarinet virtuoso for whom Louis Spohr composed his four clarinet concerti. Weber’s diary includes several mentions of and meetings with Hermstedt in 1815 (as well as subsequent years), but no more information is provided on this “clarinet concerto.”
So, did Weber write a secret third clarinet concerto for Hermstedt?
Some historians believe this diary entry refers to Weber’s Grand Duo Concertant (which was composed in 1815-1816), but others believe that there is indeed a third Weber clarinet concerto.
Without further evidence, this remains yet another unsolved mystery of clarinet history.