Carl Barmann German clarinetist and basset hornist Date of Birth: 24.10.1811 Country: Germany

Biography of Karl Bärmann

Karl Bärmann was a German clarinetist and basset hornist, born as the son of Heinrich Bärmann and singer Helena Harlas. He learned to play the clarinet under the guidance of his father and started participating in the court orchestra at the age of 14. In 1832, he was officially accepted as the second clarinetist, and two years later, he took over his father's position after his retirement. Father and son performed together on concert tours in 1827, 1832, and 1838, with Karl predominantly playing the basset horn. Felix Mendelssohn composed two concert pieces, op. 113 and 114, for the Bärmann duo.

Karl Bärmann was actively involved in teaching and held the position of professor at the Royal School of Music in Munich. His "Complete Clarinet School" (Vollständige Clarinett-Schule), published between 1864 and 1875, was widely used for clarinet education for many years. Bärmann also composed 88 original works, mainly for his instrument, including the Fantasia for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 15, the Military Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 6, and the Brilliant Variations for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 8, among others. Some of his compositions were also arranged for different instruments.

In 1860, together with Johann Georg Ottensteiner, Bärmann participated in the development of a new model of clarinet with eighteen keys, highly esteemed by contemporary musicians, including Richard Mühlfeld.