Potpourri sur un thème suisse

Joseph Küffner was born into a family of musicians in Würzburg. He learned to play several instruments including violin, flute, trombone, guitar and also clarinet. Küffner began working as a military musician in the Elector of Würzburg’s orchestra, moved to the court orchestra in the course of secularization (1806–1814) and later returned to military music in the Bavarian army. From 1825 Küffner worked as a teacher, composer and arranger in Würzburg. He composed symphonies, overtures, military and chamber music for wind instruments and strings with piano or guitar accompaniment. Schott also published his clarinet method ‘Principes Élémentaires de la Musique et Gamme de Clarinette suvis de 24 Duos instructifs (...) pour deux Clarinettes, op. 200‘. The Potpourri sur un thème suisse on a Swiss alpine melody was published in 1838 (plate number 2590). The theme is an old yodelling melody. A melodic introduction is followed by a theme and five variations. In the final Rondo, the triad motives of the opening are taken up again.