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The clarinet is descended from the chalumeau, a wooden instrument resembling a recorder with a reed, widely used in the Middle Ages.
It was Johann Christoph Denner, a German instrument maker, who brought major improvements to this instrument, notably by adding a bell and two keys, thus transforming the chalumeau into a clarinet around 1700.
18th century developments
Throughout the 18th century, various instrument makers, such as Johann Friedrich Simmler and Theodor Lotz, improved the clarinet. Modifications were made to the bore, and additional keys were added, extending the instrument's range.
Adoption by orchestras
By the end of the 18th century, the clarinet had been widely integrated into orchestras. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, among others, was one of the major composers to include the clarinet in his orchestral compositions, contributing greatly to its popularity.
Development of modern clarinets in the 19th century
Clarinetists and inventors such as Heinrich Bärmann and Iwan Müller made important contributions to the instrument, notably by adding more keys.
Then Hyacinthe Klosé, in collaboration with Louis-Auguste Buffet, adapted the Boehm system (originally designed for the flute) to the clarinet. This model, with a few variations, is widely used today, although some people, notably in Germany and Austria, prefer the Oehler system.
Integration into chamber music ensembles
In the 19th century, the clarinet also found its place in chamber music ensembles, particularly in string quartets and piano quintets.
20th-century evolution
Although clarinets such as the bass clarinet and E-flat clarinet already existed, the 20th century saw the development and popularization of new clarinet variants and sizes, further enriching the clarinet family.
The clarinet today
Today, the clarinet is a versatile instrument, played in a variety of musical styles, from classical to jazz, folk, rock, and more. It is appreciated for its expressive sound and its ability to blend harmoniously into many musical contexts.
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