12 of the Most Beautiful Works for Clarinet

Much of a clarinetist’s practice time is centered around the navigation and execution of difficult technical passages. In the twenty-first century, the immense technical demands imposed on clarinetists by composers continues to increase. New compositions often feature large intervals, fast passages, complex rhythms, extended techniques, and brisk tempi.

As these pyrotechnical demands keep us very busy in the practice room, it becomes too easy to overlook one of the true hallmarks of the clarinet - the inherent ability to sing a beautiful melody. Although simpler in nature (but not to perform!), music that is cantabile shows the clarinet in its truest form - as the instrument that may most closely resemble the human voice. And isn’t it every instrumentalist’s fondest wish to emulate the sound of the human voice?

From the clarinet’s earliest history, composers have captured this magical vocal quality in their writing for the clarinet. In the spirit of putting the spotlight on this very important part of the instrument’s personality, here are 12 of my favorite works (listed chronologically) which are certainly among some of the most beautiful music ever composed for the clarinet. Each composer has captured the sublime vocal quality of the clarinet in all of its splendor.

1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Adagio (1791)

Second movement of the Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622

2. Carl Maria von Weber – Adagio ma non troppo (1811)

Second movement of the Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Op. 73

3. Bernhard Henrik Crusell – Andante pastorale (1818)

Second movement of the Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 5

4. Heinrich Baermann - Adagio (1821)

Second movement of the Clarinet Quintet No. 3, Op. 23

5. Franz Schubert – Adagio (1824)

Second movement of the Octet in F major, Op. 166

6. Felix Mendelssohn – Andante (1824)

Second movement of the Sonata for Clarinet in E-flat major

7. Ferruccio Busoni – Elegia (1878)

Third movement of the Suite, Op. 10 (K 88)

8. Johannes Brahms – Andante un poco adagio (1894)

Second movement of the Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120

9. Sergei Rachmaninoff – Adagio (1906-07)

Third movement of the Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27

10. Aaron Copland – Slowly and Expressively (1948)

First movement of the Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra (with Harp and Piano)

11. Francis Poulenc – Romanza (1962)

Second movement of the Sonata for Clarinet and Piano

12. John Corigliano – Elegy (1977)

Second movement of the Concerto for Clarinet

I hope you will take the opportunity to play and listen to some of the most incredible vocal melodies ever composed for the clarinet. You will find it a richly rewarding experience!

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