Duo No. 2

By Bernhard Crusell (1775-1838)
I. Allegro agitato ma non troppo 0:00
II. Siciliano 7:50
III. Rondo alla Svedese 9:53
Joe Clark, Elisabeth Waldburger, Bb clarinets
Although he spent most of his life in Sweden, Crusell was born in Finland and identified with his Finnish heritage. He taught himself clarinet by ear before he began lessons. While his first clarinet had only six keys, he upgraded to an eleven-key instrument, much closer to the modern thirteen. He began playing with the reed on top of the mouthpiece, only later transitioning to the modern style of having it below - which facilitates a much more sweet and even sound.
Performed at the La Porte High School PAC on May 10, 2024.