Clarinet in E-flat 1870 - 1900

Theodore Berteling crafted this Clarinet in E-flat sometime in the mid-19th century. Musical instruments like this one have always been central to social life, especially in a rapidly industrializing Europe. The clarinet’s distinctive sound filled concert halls and opera houses, but also brass bands and military ensembles. These were all institutions with clear social hierarchies. Instruments like this would also have appeared in domestic settings, signaling a household’s prosperity and cultural aspirations. The clarinet’s design, with its complex key system, reflects the technological innovations of the era. As instruments became more sophisticated, so too did the musical education system. Conservatories and private instructors shaped both the production and consumption of music. Examining manufacturers’ catalogs and concert programs from this period can tell us a great deal about the social values attached to music. The history of this Clarinet reminds us that even seemingly simple objects can reveal complex social and cultural histories.