Famous Clarinetists of the World — From Classical to Jazz
With its warm timbre and wide range, the clarinet is a highly popular instrument across many genres, including concert band, classical, and jazz.
Another hallmark of the clarinet is its versatility: it adapts to a variety of performance settings, from ensembles to solo playing.
Many people may have first learned of the instrument through the well-known children’s song “I Broke My Clarinet.”
In this article, we’ve gathered notable clarinetists from around the world who are active in classical and jazz.
Read on, and the clarinet might start to feel even more familiar to you.
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Famous Clarinetists of the World — From Classical to Jazz (21–30)
Hurry, Benjamin!Masuda Hideo
I’m a jazz clarinetist active in Japan.
As a Yamaha instructor, I’m also dedicated to teaching the next generation.
The piece features clarinet, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.
Each instrument shines in its solo, making it a very compelling listen.
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in A major, MWV 6 / Johann Melchior MolterDariusz Elbe
Johann Melchior Molter was a composer of the transitional period from the late German Baroque to the early Classical era.
This piece is performed on the E-flat clarinet, which is smaller than the more common B-flat or A clarinet.
The hallmark is the beautiful, bright high register characteristic of the E-flat instrument.
Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 120 No. 2 / Johannes BrahmsErnst Ottensamer
Ernst Ottensamer is a clarinetist from Wallern, Austria.
This Brahms Clarinet Sonata was composed in 1894.
Although Brahms had once lost his creative drive, he regained his inspiration after hearing the clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld perform, and he went on to write a series of clarinet works, including this piece.
Shepherd on the Rock D.965 / Franz SchubertPeter Schmidl
Peter Schmidl, who has served as principal player of the Vienna Philharmonic for three generations—following his grandfather and father—is a Czech-born clarinetist.
As a soloist, he has performed with many prestigious orchestras; he is also active as a chamber musician, appearing on stages around the world and leaving numerous recordings.
As a professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, he is dedicated to training the next generation; world-renowned clarinetists such as Wenzel Fuchs, principal of the illustrious Berlin Philharmonic, studied under him before launching their careers.
In Japan, he has made significant contributions as a music educator as well, participating as a masterclass instructor at programs such as the Kusatsu International Summer Music Academy.
For beginners who want to explore classical clarinet, any recording involving Schmidl offers a smooth, superb listening experience you can enjoy with complete confidence.
Rhapsody in Blue / George GershwinRobert oberaigner
Clarinetist Robert Oberaigner is attracting attention as a powerhouse in the classical world.
Having served as a clarinetist with the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Munich Philharmonic, and the Super World Orchestra, he is currently the principal clarinet of the Staatskapelle Dresden.
His performances are captivating, combining delicacy with power.
He has extensive experience on the world’s leading stages, including the BBC Proms and the Salzburg Festival.
With a broad repertoire ranging from contemporary to early music, he is one of the most noteworthy clarinetists today.
Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 120 No. 2 / Johannes BrahmsWenzel Fuchs
Wenzel Fuchs is a clarinetist born in 1963 in Innsbruck, Austria.
Raised in a musical family, he began playing the clarinet in numerous wind ensembles from an early age.
He studied under the world-renowned clarinetist Peter Schmidl at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, and in 1993 he became principal clarinetist of the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic, where he has had a long and distinguished career.
Married to a Japanese woman, Fuchs has strong ties to Japan, serving as a visiting professor at institutions such as Tokyo University of the Arts and Sakuyo Music College in Okayama.
He is also active as a soloist and chamber musician, and has toured Japan as a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Octet, an ensemble comprised of Berlin Philharmonic musicians.
His superb performances and beautiful tone—said to follow in the footsteps of the great clarinetist Karl Leister—are captured on CDs and records, but are something one should definitely experience live in concert.
Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, II. Adagio / Wolfgang Amadeus MozartJulian Bliss
A young clarinetist from the United Kingdom.
By the time he was 20, he was already regarded as one of the world’s finest clarinetists, and the Leblanc Bliss clarinet he helped develop has also become very famous.
In this video, a basset clarinet is used—an instrument that can produce the low notes not available on a standard B-flat clarinet—allowing the piece to be performed exactly as Mozart wrote it.