August Grenser

August Grenser

Grensler, Instruments

CLARINETS IN A, B-FLAT OR C, FOUR OR FIVE KEYS – August Grenser (1720-1807) founded his workshop in Dresden in 1744 and became one of Europe’s leading wind instrument makers. The surviving August Grenser clarinets include very early classical clarinets...
Johann Baptiste Merklein

Johann Baptiste Merklein

Instruments, Johann Baptise Merklein

CLARINET IN C, SIX TO TEN KEYS – Johann Baptiste Merklein was active as an instrument maker from 1799 until 1847. Like all Viennese C clarinets I have come across, this instrument has a rather small bore and requires a dedicated mouthpiece. Additional keys are...
Kaspar Tauber

Kaspar Tauber

Instruments, Kaspar Tauber

CLARINETS IN A OR B-FLAT, FIVE TO EIGHT KEYS –  Tauber established his workshop in 1794 and was active until his death in 1829. As a student of Theodor Lotz, his clarinets are of interest not only for their excellent craftsmanship and reputation, but also as a...
Griessling & Schlott

Griessling & Schlott

Griessling & Schlott, Instruments

CLARINETS IN A, B-FLAT OR C, FIVE TO TWELVE KEYS – The firm of Griessling & Schlott built instruments ranging from five to twelve keys with phenomenal workmanship and beauty of construction. The great virtuoso Heinrich Baermann was their most famous client....
Theodor Lotz

Theodor Lotz

Instruments, T. Lotz

CLARINETS IN A, B-FLAT OR C, FIVE KEYS; BASSET HORN IN F, EIGHT OR NINE KEYS – Theodor Lotz was an accomplished musician before he turned his hand to revolutionising the clarinet. There is evidence of him performing as a clarinet soloist in Vienna in 1772 and...