Louis Spohr

Concerto No. 2 in E flat major Op. 57

Louis Spohr's technically, extremely demanding concertos have long been part of clarinetists' standard repertoire. Like the first clarinet concerto, this second concerto was composed for the clarinetist Johann Hermstedt, probably in the spring of 1810. Critics praised the concerto at its premiere, stating that it was 'undeniably one of the most accomplished works of art of its kind.' Emphasized was also the 'great and brilliant treatment of the solo instrument, combined with a very original orchestra accompaniment, where every part, even the timpani, is obbligato.' The concerto was even then a great success with the audience. For publication, Spohr supplemented the solo part with various ossia passages as simplifying alternatives. These can of course be found in the score as well as in the piano reduction presented in Ullrich Scheideler's new critical Urtext edition in collaboration with G. Henle Verlag, now for the first time in a reliable edition.