Bernhard Crusell

Short bio Bernhard Crusell

Birthday: 1775 in Uusikaupunki

Died: 1838 in Stockholm, Sweden

Genre: Classical

Period: Classical

Full biography Bernhard Crusell

Bernhard Crusell (1775-1838) was a Swedish-Finnish composer, clarinetist, and translator who is considered to be one of the most significant and well-known Finnish composers of his time. He was born in Nystad, Sweden (nowadays known as Uusikaupunki, Finland), and spent most of his life in Sweden, working as the principal clarinetist in the Royal Court Orchestra in Stockholm from 1793 to 1833.

Crusell was a prolific composer who wrote many works for the clarinet, his instrument of choice. His compositions include three clarinet concertos, a clarinet quartet, and a septet for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello, and double bass, among other works. His clarinet compositions are still frequently performed and recorded by clarinet players worldwide.

In addition to his work as a composer, Crusell was a skilled translator who translated many dramatic works from Swedish to Finnish. He also was well acquainted with many of the leading literary figures of his time, and his compositions often reflected his literary interests.

Crusell's music is known for its elegant melodies, Classical-style harmonies, and virtuosic clarinet writing. His works are still admired for their technical demands and melodic inventiveness. While Crusell may not be considered among the first-rank composers of his time , his contributions to the development of the clarinet as a solo instrument and his legacy as a Finnish-Swedish composer are widely recognized.

Compositions featuring Bernhard Crusell

#	Name	Duration	Genre	Year
1	The Last Warrior (Den siste kämpen), declamatorium for speaker, chorus & orchestra	23:35 min	Choral	1834
2	Quartet for flute & string trio in D major, Op. 8	23:31 min	Chamber Music	1823
3	Adagio and Rondo, for 2 clarinets & piano	5:34 min	Chamber Music	1822
4	Quartet for clarinet & strings No. 3 in D major, Op. 7	23:20 min	Chamber Music	1820
5	Sinfonia Concertante for clarinet, horn, bassoon & orchestra in B flat major, Op. 3	27:52 min	Concerto	1808
6	Concerto for clarinet & orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 5	24:03 min	Concerto	1808
7	Quartet for clarinet & strings No. 2 in C minor, Op. 4	20:15 min	Chamber Music	1804
8	Introduction, Theme and Variations on a Swedish Air for clarinet & orchestra, Op 12	10:52 min	Concerto	1804
9	Concerto for clarinet & orchestra No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 1	21:42 min	Concerto	1803
10	Concerto for clarinet & orchestra No. 3 in B flat major, Op. 11	24:32 min	Concerto	1803
11	Quartet for clarinet & strings No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2	23:47 min	Chamber Music	1803
12	Hell Dig, Du Höga Nord!, song for chorus	1:48 min	Choral	-
13	Rondo for 2 clarinets & piano	5:13 min	Keyboard	-
14	Polonaise for solo keyed bugle & brass ensemble	5:25 min		-
15	Lilla Slafinnen, opera		Opera	-
16	Fantasy on Swedish National Melodies, for band	13:39 min	Band Music	-
17	Divertimento for oboe & strings in C, Op 9	10:15 min	Concerto	-
18	Concerto for bassoon & orchestra	17:48 min	Concerto	-
19	Concertino for bassoon & orchestra in B flat major	18:32 min	Concerto	-
20	Concert Trio (Potpourri), for clarinet, bassoon & horn	10:35 min	Chamber Music	-
21	Aria from Den Lilla Slavinnan		Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
22	Airs suédos, for bassoon & piano	13:56 min	Chamber Music	-

Albums featuring Bernhard Crusell

#	Name album	Year	Music label
1	Sharon Kam, Weber, Kurpiński, Crusell, ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gregor Bühl – Weber – Kurpiński – Crusell(CD, Stereo)	2020	Orfeo (2)
2	Bernhard Crusell, Eric Hoeprich & Members Of The London Haydn Quartet – Three Quartets For Clarinet And Strings(CD, Album)	2017	Glossa
3	Emma Johnson, Michael Thompson (2), Philip Gibbon, The Carducci Quartet, Chris West (8), Schubert, Crusell – Emma Johnson & Friends(CD, Stereo)	2016	Somm Recordings
4	Crusell, Mozart, Hummel, Stephan Siegenthaler, Lucerne String Trio – Quartet In D Major, Op.7 : Quartet In F Major, K370 : Quartet In E Flat Major(CD, Album)	2014	Sterling (2)
5	Crusell, Emma Johnson, Henk de Graaf, English Chamber Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz, The Daniel String Quartet – Complete Clarinet Concertos & Quartets(2×CD, Album, Compilation, Stereo)	2011	Brilliant Classics
6	Mozart, Rossini, Kreutzer, Crusell, Karen Geoghegan, BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea Noseda – Karen Geohegan Plays Mozart, Rossini, Mozart, Crusell(CD, Album)	2010	Chandos
7	Bernhard Crusell, László Horváth (2), Trio Dumas, Joseph Puglia, Örs Köszeghy, Chaim Steller – Clarinet Quartets(CD, Album)	2009	Hungaroton Classic
8	Crusell, Devienne, Krommer, Mozart, Mikael Beier, The Copenhagen String Trio – Flute Quartets(2×CD, Compilation)	2008	Danacord
9	Septet In E-Flat Major • Fantasy On Swedish National Melodies(CD, Album)	2008	Sterling (2)
10	Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Martin Fröst, Göteborgs Symfoniker – Clarinet Concertos(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo, Album)	2008	BIS
11	Bernhard Henrik Crusell - Dan Larsson (3) · Erik Rapp · Andreas From · Staffan Mårtensson · Östgöta Blåsarsymfoniker · Olof Boman – Concertante For Clarinet, Horn And Bassoon • Concert For Two Clarinets (Krommer, Arr.) • Funeral March	2007	Sterling (2)
12	Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Henk de Graaf, Misha Furman, Itamar Shimon, Joanna Pachucka – Clarinet Quartets (Complete)(CD, Album)	2006	Brilliant Classics
13	Bernhard Crusell, Eric Hoeprich, Kölner Akademie, Michael Willens – Klarinettenkonzerte(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Album)	2006	Ars Produktion
14	Crusell – Thea King, London Symphony Orchestra, Alun Francis – Clarinet Concertos(CD, Reissue)	2005	Helios
15	Mozart, Crusell, J.C. Bach – Music For Oboe And Strings	2004	Naxos
16	Karl Schlechta, Maggini-Trio, Bernhard Henrik Crusell – Klarinettenquartette(CD, Album)	2003	Not On Label
17	Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Håkan Rosengren – Crusell(CD, Album)	2002	Caprice Records
18	Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulf Söderblom, Turku Opera Chorus – Opera Pieni Orjatar - Den Lilla Slavinnan(CD, Album, Club Edition, Stereo)	2000	Classica (4)
19	Crusell • Spohr • Koželuh • Krommer — Emma Johnson – Romantic Clarinet Concertos(2×CD, )	2000	Regis Records
20	Crusell - Kari Kriikku, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo – Clarinet Concertos(CD, Album)	2000	Ondine
21	Beethoven, Crusell, Lachner, Löwenstein, Neukomm, Nicolai, Rossini, Salieri, London Gabrieli Brass Ensemble, Christopher Larkin – Antique Brasses(CD, Album)	2000	Hyperion
22	Antony Pay, Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment, Weber, Crusell – Clarinet Concertos(2×CD, Compilation, Stereo)	1999	Virgin Veritas
23	Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Johannes Brahms – Håkan Rosengren, Mats Löfving, Anders Kilström(CD, Album)	1997	Nytorp Musik
24	Weber, Spohr, Crusell / Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz – Clarinet Concertos(CD, Album, Reissue)	1997	ASV
25	Bernhard Henrik Crusell And Mats Larsson Gothe And Peter Bengtson (2) And Nils Tykesson, Martin Fröst, Christian Lindberg, Östgöta Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Arie Van Beek – Hekas!(CD, Album)	1997	BIS
26	Crusell - Per Billman, Uppsala Kammarorkester, Gérard Korsten – De Tre Klarinettkonserterna	1996	Naxos
27	Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Uuno Klami, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Sakari Oramo – Bernhard Henrik Crusell - Uuno Klami(CD, Album)	1996	YLE
28	Clarinet Concertos(CD, Compilation)	1994	Hyperion
29	Clarinet Quartets(CD, Album)	1993	Erasmus Muziekproducties
30	Nielsen, Englund, Crusell / Kullervo Kojo, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste – Clarinet Concertos / Introduction Et Air Suédois Varié(CD, Album)	1993	Finlandia Records
31	Crusell - Antony Pay • Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment – The Clarinet Concertos(CD, Album)	1993	Virgin Classics
32	Bernhard Henrik Crusell / Håkan Rosengren / Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra / Okko Kamu – Introduction Et Air Suédois Varié - Clarinet Concerto F Minor - Concertante B Major	1993	Musica Sveciae
33	Crusell, Emma Johnson – The 3 Clarinet Concertos(CD, Compilation, Stereo)	1991	ASV
34	Emma Johnson, Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Leopold Koželuh, František Vincenc Kramář - Krommer – Plays Clarinet Concertos By Crusell - Kozeluch - Krommer(CD, Stereo)	1991	ASV Digital
35	Concertante Wind Works(CD, Album)	1990	BIS
36	Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Thomas Byström, Carl Ludvig Lithander – Musica Fennica 1772-1843(CD, )	1989	Finlandia Records
37	Leopold Anton Kozeluch, Peter Von Winter, Bernard Henrik Crusell, Dieter Klöcker, Deutsches Streichtrio – Quartetto Concertant(CD, Album)	1989	Bayer Records
38	Crusell, Kari Kriikku, Members Of Avanti! Quartet – Complete Clarinet Quartets	1989	Ondine
39	Kjell Fagéus, The Royal Orchestra, Mozart, Larsson, De Frumerie, Crusell – Clarinet Concertos	1988	Opus 3 (2)
40	Boieldieu, Crusell, Cavallini - Spohr, Berr, Fessy, Ponchielli, Hans-Rudolf Stalder, Heinz Hofer (3), Zsuzsanna Sirokay – Virtuose Klarinettenmusik Der Romantik III	1987	Jecklin-Disco
41	Bernhard Crusell, Karl Leister, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Osmo Vänskä – The Three Clarinet Concertos	1987	BIS
42	François-Adrien Boieldieu, Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Ernesto Cavallini - Frédéric Berr, Amilcare Ponchielli, Hans-Rudolf Stalder, Heinz Hofer (3), Zsuzsanna Sirokay, Gioacchino Rossini, Alexandre-Charles Fessy, Jürg von Vintschger – The Virtuoso Clarinet(C	1987	Jecklin Edition
43	W.A. Mozart / B. H. Crusell, Karl Leister, Pražák Quartet – Mozart: B. H. Klarinettenquintett Kv 581 / B. H. Crusell: Klarinettenquartett Op. 4	1987	Orfeo (2)
44	Emma Johnson – Weber, Crusell, Tartini, Debussy – English Chamber Orchestra Conducted By Yan Pascal Tortelier – Weber Clarinet Concerto No. 1 And Works By Crusell, Tartini And Debussy	1987	ASV
45	Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves – Crussell: Concerto No. 2 (Grand), Op.5 / Weber: Concertino, Op.26 / Baermann: Adagio / Rossini: Introduction, Theme & Variations	1986	ASV Digital
46	Crusell, Kreutzer, Reicha / Sarah Francis, Allegri String Quartet – Oboe Quintets	1984	Hyperion
47	Crusell - Thea King, Members Of The Allegri String Quartet – Clarinet Quartets	1983	Hyperion
48	Crusell - Weber - Thea King, London Symphony Orchestra, Alun Francis – Clarinet Concertos	1983	Hyperion
49	Crusell / Atterberg / Hans Eklund - Albert Linder, Göteborgs Symfoniorkester – Sinfonia Concertante / Hornkonsert A-moll, Op. 28 / Hornkonsert(LP, Stereo)	1982	Caprice Records
50	Crusell - Thea King, London Symphony Orchestra, Alun Francis – Clarinet Concertos (No. 1 In E Flat • No. 3 In B Flat)	1982	Hyperion
51	Karl Leister, The Vienna String Quartet, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernhard Henrik Crusell – B. H. Crusell: Quartet for Clarinet and Strings in E-Flat major Op.2-1, W. A. Mozart: Quartet for Clarinet and Strings in A major K.581(LP, Album, Stereo)	1981	KOTO
52	Bruch, Mendelssohn, Crusell, Thea King, Georgina Dobrée, Nobuko Imai, The London Symphony Orchestra, Alun Francis – The Clarinet In Concert (Concerto For Clarinet And Viola,Op.88 / Two Concert Pieces For Clarinet And Basset Horn,Op.113/114 / Introduction	1981	Hyperion
53	Crusell • Barth • Dupuy - Bjørn Carl Nielsen, Jens Tofte-Hansen, Københavns Strygekvartet – Kvintetter For Træblæsere Og Strygekvartet = Quintets For Wood-Winds And String Quartet(LP, Album, Stereo)	1980	Canzone
54	Nielsen - Debussy, Honegger, Crusell - Albert Sandström (2), Symfoniorkestern Norrköping, Okko Kamu, Poul Jørgensen (2), Mona Sandström – Klarinettkonsert - Première Rhapsodie / Petite Pièce / Sonatin / Introduction & Air Suédois Varié(LP, Album, Ster	1979	PRIMO (10)
55	Kalevi Aho, Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Musica per Oboe e Archi(LP)	1979	Finlandia Records
56	Boccherini / Crusell / Mozart - Fumiaki Miyamoto, Sestetto Da Camera – Oboenquintette Von Boccherini Und Crusell / Oboenquartett Von Mozart(LP)	1979	FSM (2)
57	Clarinet Quartet in E Flat Minor & D Major(LP, Album, Stereo)	1977	BIS
58	Danzi / Ritter / Hoffmeister / Crusell / Schneider / Kozeluch / Pleyel / Winter / Abel – Solisten Des Consortium Classicum, Academy Of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Iona Brown – Konzertante Sinfonien	1977	His Master's Voice
59	Hummel, Crusell / The Music Party – Clarinet Quartet / Clarinet Quartet No.2	1973	L'Oiseau-Lyre
60	Copland • Crusell • Gervase de Peyer • London Mozart Players • Bernard Jacob – Clarinet Concerto (1948) / Grand Concerto In F Minor Op 5	1973	Unicorn Records (3)
61	W. A. Mozart / C. M. von Weber / B. H. Crusell - Capella Istropolitana, Kaspar Zehnder, Stephan Siegenthaler – Concertos For Clarinet And Orchestra(CD, )	-	Sheva Collection
62	Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Royal Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Michael Collins (3) – Clarinet Concertos / Introduction et air suédois(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo, Album)	-	Chandos
63	von Weber, Spohr, Crusell – Romantic Clarinet Concertos(2×CD, Album)	-	Brilliant Classics
64	Mozart • von Weber • Spohr • Crusell – Romantic Clarinet Concertos(3×CD, Compilation)	-	Brilliant Classics