Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda (1801-1866) was born in Prague and studied at the Prague Conservatory. During most of his professional life he served as the conductor of Prince Fürstenberg’s private orchestra at Donaueschingen. Robert Schumann dedicated his Intermezzi, Op. 4 to him. His musical output includes seven symphonies, solo pieces for various orchestral instruments, string quartets and songs. Works for clarinet and piano include Introduction and Brilliant Variations, Op. 128 and Morceau de Concert, Op. 229.

Heimathlied (Homesong), Op. 117 was published in 1857 by Wessel & Co. in London in a series of numerous German songs for voice, clarinet and piano “as sung by Mrs. Toulmin, Miss Masson and Mrs. Shaw accompanied by Mr. Lazarus.” Henry Lazarus (1815-1895) was one of England’s most prominent clarinetists during the nineteenth century and, more than any other performer, helped to popularize the clarinet as an obbligato instrument.

James Gillespie, Denton, Texas 1980