Jacques Offenbach (1819 – 1880) was born in Germany,
but spent most of his life in Paris. He is considered
to be the inventor of the modern musical comedy and
composed more than 100 pieces for the stage. Less known
is his activity as an outstanding cellist. Already in
the age of 15 he started his first position as a
cellist in the Opera Comique in Paris and soon he
became known as a cello soloist. Later he played
together with famous musicians of his time like Anton
Rubinstein or Franz Liszt. ...(+)
Jacques Offenbach (1819 – 1880) was born in Germany,
but spent most of his life in Paris. He is considered
to be the inventor of the modern musical comedy and
composed more than 100 pieces for the stage. Less known
is his activity as an outstanding cellist. Already in
the age of 15 he started his first position as a
cellist in the Opera Comique in Paris and soon he
became known as a cello soloist. Later he played
together with famous musicians of his time like Anton
Rubinstein or Franz Liszt. Offenbach wrote 75
compositions for the cello. Among his works for cello
and piano is the “Musette”, composed in about 1841.
In the musical substance of this piece he fell back on
a ballet of the 17th century. In order to play the
piece with clarinet, we arranged the cello part to be
used by this instrument. For the case that a basset
clarinet is to be used, in the arrangement are few
alternative bars with low notes practicable on this
instrument. Since the piano part remained unchanged,
existing piano parts (e. g. Robert Linau, Berlin, RL
28390) can be used.
