Different moods and gestures
The clarinet sonata by Josef Schelb, composed in 1947, has been published for the first time.
The name Josef Schelb is probably familiar to very few clarinettists, although his extensive compositional output (including eleven symphonies, other large orchestral works, ballets, several operas and a great deal of chamber music) comprises a number of works for clarinet. In addition to the clarinet sonata from 1947, now published for the first time in print as a Breitkopf Urtext, there is also a concerto for bass clarinet accompanied by ten solo instruments (1930/43), a clarinet quintet, a clarinet quartet and other chamber music works with clarinet from his pen.
Josef Schelb (1894-1977) was born in Freiburg im Breisgau, was a composition student of Hans Huber in Basel, among others, and studied piano in Geneva. In addition to a career as a concert pianist, he was a professor of piano and composition at the Karlsruhe University of Music for more than 30 years. His work cannot be assigned to any particular school, but is characterized by the various influences of his time.
The clarinet sonata, written shortly after the Second World War, cannot be clearly categorized stylistically. Formally laid out classically in four movements, without a fixed key, but still with tonal references and metrically and rhythmically rather traditional, it can best be compared with the sonata by Schelb's contemporary Paul Hindemith.
The first movement is characterized by an expressive, rhythmically pointed melodic line and radiates a forward-pushing restlessness. In the second, calmer movement, the clarinet and piano engage in an expressive dialog. The third movement, written in 6/8 time, is characterized by fast tonal garlands and has a fun, lively character. In the final movement, an optimistic, forward-looking impression prevails again.
This beautifully designed edition with introduction and critical commentary is a welcome addition to the clarinet repertoire of the first half of the 20th century.
Josef Schelb: Sonata for clarinet and piano, edited by Albert Schelb, first edition, EB 8991, € 24.90, Breitkopf & Härtel, Wiesbaden 2019
