Karl Almenräder

Background

Karl Almenräder bassoon-virtuoso was born in Ronsdorf, near Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany on October 3, 1786.

Career

He was in turn professional of bassoon at Cologne Music-school (1810), member of Frankfort theatre-orchestra (1812), and regimental bandmaster; started a manufactory for wind-instruments (1820) at Nassau, but gave it up in 2 years, entering the Nassau Court Orchestra at Bieb-rich. He materially improved the bassoon, wrote a treatise on it (Mainz, 1824), and a method for it. Published a bassoon-concerto; potpourri for bassoon and orchestra; variations for bassoon with violin, viola, and violoncello; introduction and variations for bassoon and quartet; Duet-tinos for 2 bassoons; etc.; also the popular ballad, ‘‘ Des Ha uses letzte Stunde.” In MS. are 3 concertos, and other works. He died in Nassau on September 14, 1843.

Achievements

• He materially improved the bassoon, wrote a treatise on it (Mainz, 1824), and a method for it.