Archduke Rudolf of Austria and his clarinet trio: the making of a world premiere recording on historical instruments : magistrska naloga

Lonquich, Tomasso (author), Kotar, Jože (mentor)

The Clarinet Trio by Archduke Rudolf of Austria represents a notable example of his compositional style. One of the main sponsors and friends of Beethoven, Rudolf was also one of his most prominent composition pupils and the dedicatee of several of the master’s works. A compact biographical sketch of Rudolf, his clarinet output, and possible influences upon his Trio are included in this first part of this thesis. At the time of publication, the Archduke’s Trio can be heard on at least three recordings, all of them are on modern instruments. The current author, a clarinetist, was involved in the making of the world premiere recording on historical instruments at A=430hz, together with Augusto Gasbarri (cello) and Mario Sollazzo (fortepiano), due to be published by the Italian label Novantiqua in 2024. The experience of making this recording served as the practical basis for the considerations which are presented below. Some salient compositional features of the Trio are related to the peculiarities, challenges, and advantages which a historically informed performance approach engenders. The first-hand process of studying, rehearsing, and recording the Trio is taken as a case study to investigate how instrument choice can affect interpretation. Moreover, questions of sources (manuscript vs. published edition), and proper instrumentation (5- key Lotz vs. later Lotz vs. 11-13 key Grenser clarinet) are considered. The latter topic is particularly interesting, given that the Trio was composed in a time when 5-key clarinets were still widely used, but when some instruments of upwards to 13 keys had recently become available. Particular attention is devoted to fingerings: the main differences between 5-key clarinets, 11-13 key clarinets and modern Bohem-system clarinets are exemplified through various passages in the Trio. Both interpretational and technical advantages/disadvantages are remarked upon. The last part of the thesis will deal with the author’s personal experience as a modern clarinet player who finds himself engaged with historical instruments. Some practical advice to modern clarinetists intending to do the same is included.

• Language: English
• Keywords: historically informed performance, music analysis, music for clarinet, Classicism, Clarinet trio, historical clarinet, master's theses
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.09 - Master's Thesis
• Organization: AG - Academy of Music
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: T. Lonquich
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 42 str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-159005
• UDC: 780.8:780.643.1
• COBISS.SI-ID: 199800323
• Publication date in RUL: 27.06.2024

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian

Abstract

Trio za klarinet, čelo in klavir nadvojvode Rudolfa Avstrijskega je imeniten primer njegovega kompozicijskega sloga. Rudolf je bil eden glavnih Beethovnovih sponzorjev, podpornikov in prijateljev, bil je tudi eden njegovih najvidnejših učencev kompozicije, kateremu je mojster posvetil številna dela. Prvi del magistrske naloge vključuje strnjen biografski osnutek Rudolfa, njegova dela za klarinet in morebitne vplive na njegov trio.

• Keywords: historična izvajalna praksa, glasbene analize, glasba za klarinet, klasicizem, historični klarinet, magistrske naloge