Nicolai
Pfeffer
clarinetist •
lecturer
• author
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"Il poeta del clarinetto" (La Repubblica). As a soloist, chamber musician, arranger and teacher, Nicolai Pfeffer, who belongs to the younger generation of artists, is already in great demand both at home and abroad.

Nicolai Pfeffer

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biography

The German specialised press presented him as an outstanding interpreter and arranger. DER SPIEGEL emphasised his ability to combine extreme technical fluency with a lively, brilliant style and an imaginative wealth of musical colour.

His debut CD (with works by Schumann, Reger and Berg), followed by the highly acclaimed recording of the two clarinet sonatas op. 120 by Johannes Brahms (Cavi/Deutsche Grammophon) as well as two solo recordings with works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Carl Maria von Weber (NovAntiqua), among others, were favourably reviewed by music critics throughout Europe and the USA.

AFTER HIS DEBUT CD WITH WORKS BY ROBERT SCHUMANN (SOIRÉE PIECES, FIRST RECORDING), MAX REGER (SONATA OP. 49 NO. 2) AND ALBAN BERG (FOUR PIECES OP. 5), A RECORDING OF THE TWO SONATAS OP. 120 BY JOHANNES BRAHMS (Cavi/Deutsche Grammophon) FOLLOWED IN THE BRAHMSIAN YEAR 2017 TOGETHER WITH FELIX WAHL, WHICH WAS HIGHLY APPRECIATED BY THE SPECIALIZED PRESS.

• exclusive tracks • exclusive tracks
• exclusive tracks • exclusive tracks

tracks

compositions

1
Cantilène
Gabriel Pierné
https://ia601706.us.archive.org/14/items/song-cantilene/Song%20Cantilene.mp3
Cantilène
Gabriel Pierné
1:47
2
Klarinettenkonzert B-dur | 1. Allegro moderato
Johann Stamitz
https://ia902208.us.archive.org/32/items/stamitz_202405/Stamitz.mp3
Klarinettenkonzert B-dur | 1. Allegro moderato
Johann Stamitz
3:13
3
Quintett A-dur KV 581 | 2. Larghetto
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
https://ia904607.us.archive.org/34/items/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart_202405/Wolfgang%20Amadeus%20Mozart.mp3
Quintett A-dur KV 581 | 2. Larghetto
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
5:19
4
Clarinet Concerto op. 31 | 3. Allegro giocoso
Gerald Finzi
https://ia803207.us.archive.org/35/items/finzi-3web/Finzi3web.mp3
Clarinet Concerto op. 31 | 3. Allegro giocoso
Gerald Finzi
3:21
5
Fantasiestücke op. 73 | 3. Rasch und mit Feuer
Robert Schumann
https://ia600304.us.archive.org/7/items/robert-schumann_202405/Robert%20Schumann.mp3
Fantasiestücke op. 73 | 3. Rasch und mit Feuer
Robert Schumann
1:01
Niels Wilhelm Gade
Carl Maria von Weber
Claude Debussy
Johannes Brahms

Although he is one of the younger generation of artists, he already enjoys a high reputation and international recognition as a soloist and chamber musician.

Visit the concert calendar to keep up to date with Nicolai Pfeffer's upcoming concerts and courses."

• concerts • concerts
• concerts • concerts

concerts

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next concerts
17
05/2026
Mozart Concerto per clarinetto e orchestra
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791): Concerto per clarinetto
Composto nell’autunno del 1791, poche settimane prima della sua morte, il Concerto per clarinetto in La maggiore K. 622 rappresenta una delle vette assolute della produzione concertistica di Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – e un atto d’amore nei confronti di uno strumento che egli aveva imparato ad amare profondamente. Destinato all’amico e virtuoso Anton Stadler, pioniere del clarinetto e del più raro corno di bassetto, il concerto esprime una tenerezza e una luminosità che sembrano sospese fuori dal tempo. La scrittura mozartiana esplora tutte le possibilità espressive dello strumento: dalla cantabilità quasi vocale del movimento lento, a momenti di gioiosa brillantezza e danza, fino a passaggi di dolce malinconia. Non è un caso che questo concerto sia considerato non solo una pietra miliare del repertorio per clarinetto, ma anche una delle più alte manifestazioni della poetica mozartiana. Chi lo ascolta viene inevitabilmente toccato dalla sua purezza formale, dalla trasparenza del linguaggio e dalla profondità emotiva che si sprigiona nota dopo nota. Un’occasione unica per riscoprire l’anima del clarinetto – quella voce calda, profonda e umana che Mozart ha saputo esprimere come nessun altro.
Musicians:
Solista: Nicolai Pfeffer
Direttore d'orchestra: Thomas Jung
Time:
18:00
Location:
Ridingersaal im Schloss Johannisburg
Aschaffenburg, Germania
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Pfeffer has brought his enthusiasm for the clarinet to the classrooms of the most prestigious European music institutes. His experience as a performer and his solid academic training make him an outstanding pedagogue, able to inspire and educate future generations of musicians.

Masterclasses for advanced students and young professionals can be found in the calendar.

• masterclass • masterclass
• masterclass • masterclass

teacher

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next masterclass
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Score and clarinet
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Pfeffer is not only known as a clarinettist, but also for his contributions as an arranger and editor of musicological editions. Many of his editions are internationally recognised as reference editions. Through careful study of the sources and a deep respect for the compositional process, Pfeffer breathes new life into well-known and popular works, opening up new and exciting perspectives.

• author • author • author
• author • author • author

arranger

Score and clarinet

ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY

Trio in re minore op. 3

His first work, youthful and ingenious, is still heavily indebted, in tone and in (...)

ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY

Trio in re minore op. 3

His first work, youthful and ingenious, is still heavily indebted, in tone and in (...)

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W. A. MOZART/ARR. ANDREAS N. TARKMANN

Arie da concerto

Inspired by the two concert “Arias of Tito”, clarinetist Sabine Meyer, with the help of (...)

W. A. MOZART/ARR. ANDREAS N. TARKMANN

Arie da concerto

Inspired by the two concert “Arias of Tito”, clarinetist Sabine Meyer, with the help of (...)

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NIELS WILHELM GADE

Pezzi fantastici op. 43

Alongside the homonymous opera 73 by Robert Schumann, the fantastic pieces by the Danish (...)

NIELS WILHELM GADE

Pezzi fantastici op. 43

Alongside the homonymous opera 73 by Robert Schumann, the fantastic pieces by the Danish (...)

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MAX BRUCH

Doppio Concerto in Mi minore op. 88 per clarinetto (violino) e viola con orchestra op. 83

This large work is a very interesting addition to the romantic repertoire both (...)

MAX BRUCH

Doppio Concerto in Mi minore op. 88 per clarinetto (violino) e viola con orchestra op. 83

This large work is a very interesting addition to the romantic repertoire both (...)

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Nicolai Pfeffer

Passi difficili e a solo con riduzione pianistica

Questa raccolta di passi orchestrali per clarinetto con accompagnamento di pianoforte è concepita pe

Nicolai Pfeffer

Passi difficili e a solo con riduzione pianistica

Questa raccolta di passi orchestrali per clarinetto con accompagnamento di pianoforte è concepita pe

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Dirk-Michael Kirsch

Sonata d'amour op. 41a

The Sonatine d'Amour in three movements, technically and rhythmically demanding, lasting about

Dirk-Michael Kirsch

Sonata d'amour op. 41a

The Sonatine d'Amour in three movements, technically and rhythmically demanding, lasting about

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Johann J. Diedrich Stiehl

Concertino for clarinet and orchestra, op. 3

A magnificent concert piece, cleverly composed by the clarinetist and composer from Lübeck Johann

Johann J. Diedrich Stiehl

Concertino for clarinet and orchestra, op. 3

A magnificent concert piece, cleverly composed by the clarinetist and composer from Lübeck Johann

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André Messager

Solo de Concours per clarinetto e pianoforte (clarinetto e orchestra)

In the clarinet repertoire, André Messager's “Solo de Concours” (1853-1929) is a (...)

André Messager

Solo de Concours per clarinetto e pianoforte (clarinetto e orchestra)

In the clarinet repertoire, André Messager's “Solo de Concours” (1853-1929) is a (...)

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The concert reviews provide an excellent insight into the artistic world of Nicolai Pfeffer and convey fascinating impressions of his interpretations.

Here you can read a selection of commentaries, interviews and assessments by leading music critics and magazines.

• critique • critique • critique
• critique • critique • critique

Press

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