Johann Georg Heinrich Backofen

Johann Georg Heinrich Backofen (6 July 1768 in Durlach – 10 July 1830? in Darmstadt) was a German clarinetist, composer, and painter.

In his time, Backofen enjoyed great fame; he was not only known as a composer and virtuoso of the clarinet but also played the harp, flute, and basset horn.

His year of death is not known with certainty; the year 1839 is found in some documents.

Selected works Deux valses et deux allemandes à deux et quatre mains pour le piano (2 Waltzes and 2 Allemandes for Piano 2- and 4-Hands), Op. 1 (published 1834) Concerto in B major for clarinet and orchestra, Op. 3 (Bonn, 1809?) 13 Variazioni sull' aria "Ey mein lieber Augustin" for harp, Op. 4 (Hamburg, 1801) Concertante for harp, basset horn and cello ad libitum, Op. 7 (Leipzig, 1800?) Concertante for harp, viola and cello ad libitum, Op. 8 Quintet in F major for basset horn and string quartet, Op. 9 Sinfonia concertante in A major for 2 clarinets and orchestra, Op. 10 (Leipzig, 1810?) 3 Duos concertants for 2 clarinets, Op. 13 (Leipzig, 1803) Quintet for clarinet and string quartet, Op. 15 (Leipzig, 1805?) Concerto in E major for clarinet and orchestra, Op. 16 (Leipzig, 1809?) Concerto in E major for clarinet and orchestra, Op. 24 (Leipzig, 1821?) Grand Duo for 2 flutes, Op. 37 Concerto in F major for basset horn and orchestra Concerto in F major for horn and orchestra (Leipzig, c.1823) 3 Duets for 2 clarinets (C major, G major, F major) 3 Menuette for harp Sonata in F major for violin (or flute) and harp Sonata for harp (and violin ad libitum) (Leipzig, 1795) Sonata facile for violin (or flute) and harp (or piano) Thema mit Variationen (Theme and Variations) for harp 16 Variations sur l'air "Ah! vous dirai je maman" for harp Variations for bassett horn and orchestra

Pedigogical Harfenschule mit Bemerkungen über den Bau der Harfe und deren neuere Verbesserungen (Harp School) (Leipzig, 1801) Anweisung zur Klarinette (Neue teoretisch-prachtische Klarinett Schule) nebst einer kurzen Abhandlung über das Bassett-Horn (Leipzig, 1803) Anweisung zur Klarinette, mit besonderer Hinsicht auf die in neuern Zeiten diesem Instrument beigefügten Klappen (completely revised edition of the above) (Leipzig, 1824)

Recordings Backofen: Clarinet Concertos