The Finnish-Swedish clarinetist and composer Bernhard Crusell (1775-1838) was born in Nystad in a poor family of bookbinders. He started studying clarinet in Stockholm at a young age and established himself as a clarinet soloist and was appointed director of the regimental band as a 16-year-old. The following year he became a solo clarinetist in the Royal Court Orchestra, which was conducted by his composition teacher Abbé Vogler. Crusell was offered positions as a musician in other orchestras in Europe, but King Gustav IV Adolf wanted to keep him in the Royal Orchestra and gave the job as chief conductor of the bodyguard regiment's band. Bernhard Crusell composed a lot of music for both orchestra, ensembles and singers. This beautiful adagio is from his first of a total of three clarinet concerts. Duration: 3.45
