Christian Rummel (1787-1849) was born in Gollachostheim, Bavaria. He received his musical instruction in Mannheim under the kapellmeister Karl Jakob Wagner when the latter was living at Wuerzburg and the violinist Heinrich Ritter. Then he travelled for some years, first as a band military director to the Peninsular War (on the side of Spain), and later as a fighting soldier at Waterloo. After leaving the army he settled, with his Spanish wife, in Wiesbaden, where he came to be employed by the Duke of Nassau in 1806, and from whence he also made a number of tours after forming an orchestra under the commission of the Duke of Nassau for his court, which became one of the best in Germany.
Rummel was a famous clarinetist in his time, concertizing in several European countries. About his compositions for the clarinet Robert Schumann wrote: “What he lacks in French finesse he replaces with a German good nature and ‘Gemütlichkeit’ that is natural to him, which is why I always like him."
This recording presents Rummel’s works for clarinet and piano, mainly Fantasies and Variations on famous opera melodies of the time, attractive and melodious works full of instrumental brilliance.
Played by Luigi Magistrelli, one of the foremost clarinet players of Italy. He made many recordings for Brilliant Classics with works by C.P.E. Bach (95307), Giuliani (95541), Kummer (94472), Archduke Rudolph (94952), Rebay (94171) and Fuchs (96305). ‘Luigi Magistrelli is a skilled artist, with the fingers and the enthusiasm for Weber.’ Gramophone.
