Burgmuller: Duo for Clarinet and Piano

Code: JP2131
ISMN: 979-0-3019-0355-1

Norbert Burgmuller (1810-1836) was born in Dusseldorf, the youngest son in a musical family. His father was the director of a theatre, and his mother, a singer and piano teacher. His older brother, Friedrich, was also a composer. He died at the very young age of only 26, after an epileptic seizure.

In respect and acknowledgement of Burgmuller's talent, his friend Mendelssohn composed the Trauermarsch a-Moll op. 103 for Burgmuller's funeral. Robert Schumann, who arranged for the posthumous publication of Burgmuller's two symphonies, and completed the orchestration of the scherzo of the unfinished Symphony No. 2, wrote in a memorial notice that no death was more deplorable than that of Norbert Burgmuller since the early death of Franz Schubert.

Burgmuller's Duo in E-flat major for clarinet and piano was composed in 1834. It is in one movement in a ternary form (ABA). The lovely melody and harmonies are much like Schubert and will be a very appealing addition to a program. The total duration is approximately 11.5 minutes.