Mueller, Ivan: Serenade

Ivan Müller was born in Reval in Russia (now Tallinin, Estonia) on 3 December 1786 and died in Bückeburg (Germany) in 1854. In 1808/09 he performed widely as a clarinet virtuoso - in Berlin, Leipzig, Wien, Paris and many other places where he also presented the new ‘clarinette omnitonique’ in B flat which he had invented. The system of keys in use in Germany to this day is based on Müllers invention. As a composer Müller was an exponent of the early Romantic style and wrote numerous concertos for his chosen instrument as well as this Serenade for Clarinet and Piano (or Harp or Guitar). The editor Dieter Klöcker writes: ‘These rather beautiful and accessible Romantic miniatures enjoyed great popularity in their day and I assume that even today they will meet with the approval of professional and amateur players alike.’