Variations on a Theme from the Opera “Alruna” - Clarinet and Piano

Spohr's Variations on a Theme from Alruna was composed in 1809 but apparently remained in manuscript until its publication by C.F. Schmidt (Heilbronn) in about 1888. The opera Alruna, Die Eulenkonigin had been written in 1808 but was enver performed. The Variations were presumably written for the clarinet virtuoso Johann Simon Hermstedt (1778 - 1846), who was the inspiration for Spohr's other compositions for clarinet. A number of errors in the solo part have been corrected on the basis of a set of orchestral parts kindly furnished by the Staatsbibliothek, Preussischer Kulturbesitz, West Berlin. The ossia passages were published in the Schmidt piano reduction. It is not known if they originated with the composer.