Despite their quality, Anton Dimler's compositions were almost entirely forgotten, partly because his orchestral works remained unpublished during his lifetime.
Recording & Production
Three of the clarinet concertos by Anton Dimler featured on this recording are world premiere recordings.
Performer Biography
Nikolaus Friedrich, the clarinetist on this recording, is the principal clarinettist in the Orchestra of the National Theatre in Mannheim since 1998.
Composer Biography
Anton Dimler, the composer, was initially a horn player in the Mannheim Court Orchestra before switching to double bass in the Munich orchestra.
Historical Context
Around 1800, the clarinet was still a relatively new instrument and not widely recognized as a solo instrument, though Munich had several outstanding clarinetists.
Composition History
Anton Dimler's clarinet concertos were likely written for his son, also named Anton Dimler, who began playing the instrument in the Munich Court Orchestra in 1794.
Compositional Technique
The clarinet concertos by Anton Dimler emphasize highly virtuosic solo parts, allowing the soloist to display passage work, arpeggios, and register changes.
