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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Nicolai-Pfeffer-homepage-hero-image
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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
20
02/2025
Brahms Quintet for clarinet and string quartet
J. Brahms: Quintet for clarinet and string quartet op. 115
Tracks for clarinet and string quartet
Musicians:
Clarinet: Nicolai Pfeffer
Noûs Quartet
Time:
21:00
Location:
Teatro Argentina, Largo di Torre Argentina, 52
Roma RM, Italy
20
05/2025
Brahms Concerto for clarinet and orchestra
Concerto for clarinet and orchestra after the Sonata in Mit op. 120/2
Concerto for clarinet and orchestra
Musicians:
Clarinet: Nicolai Pfeffer
Director: Dr. Florian Csizmadia
Philharmonisches Orchester Vorpommern
Time:
20:00
Location:
Greifswald, Germany
Greifswald, Germany
21
05/2025
Brahms Concerto for clarinet and orchestra
Concerto for clarinet and orchestra after the Sonata in Mit op. 120/2
Concerto for clarinet and orchestra
Musicians:
Clarinet: Nicolai Pfeffer
Director: Dr. Florian Csizmadia
Philharmonisches Orchester Vorpommern
Time:
20:00
Location:
Stralsund, Germany
Stralsund, Germany
Nicolai-Pfeffer-homepage-hero-image

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 (...)

Read more

BERNHARD HENRIK CRUSELL

Concerto per clarinetto op. 1

With its elegant initial movement and the simple and poignant Adagio, it is perhaps the most (...)

BERNHARD HENRIK CRUSELL

Concerto per clarinetto op. 1

With its elegant initial movement and the simple and poignant Adagio, it is perhaps the most (...)

Read more

BERNHARD HENRIK CRUSELL

Concerto per clarinetto op. 5

The captivating music with which Crusell - himself a first-class clarinet virtuoso (...)

BERNHARD HENRIK CRUSELL

Concerto per clarinetto op. 5

The captivating music with which Crusell - himself a first-class clarinet virtuoso (...)

Read more

BERNHARD HENRIK CRUSELL

Concerto per clarinetto op. 11

Although technically very demanding, the Concerto in B-flat major avoids (...)

BERNHARD HENRIK CRUSELL

Concerto per clarinetto op. 11

Although technically very demanding, the Concerto in B-flat major avoids (...)

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Johannes Brahms

Duo per clarinetto e pianoforte dal Quintetto op. 115

The work recognized by critics, even after more than a century, continues to (...)

Johannes Brahms

Duo per clarinetto e pianoforte dal Quintetto op. 115

The work recognized by critics, even after more than a century, continues to (...)

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Hans-Peter Huber

"Oh, se solo avessimo anche i clarinetti!". Il clarinetto nelle opere di Wolfgang Amadé Mozart - opere, fatti, fonti, opinioni

In a letter to his father dated December 3, 1778, W. A. Mozart talks about the clarinet and (...)

Hans-Peter Huber

"Oh, se solo avessimo anche i clarinetti!". Il clarinetto nelle opere di Wolfgang Amadé Mozart - opere, fatti, fonti, opinioni

In a letter to his father dated December 3, 1778, W. A. Mozart talks about the clarinet and (...)

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Bernhard Ullrich

Prima sonatina per clarinetto in Sib/Do e pianoforte

It's hard to find original literature for clarinet beginners. Many students who (...)

Bernhard Ullrich

Prima sonatina per clarinetto in Sib/Do e pianoforte

It's hard to find original literature for clarinet beginners. Many students who (...)

Read more

Casimir Antonio Cartellieri

Concerto per clarinetto n. 3 in mi bemolle maggiore

Casimiro Antonio Cartellieri (1772-1807) was born in Gdańsk. His father was an Italian tenor (...)

Casimir Antonio Cartellieri

Concerto per clarinetto n. 3 in mi bemolle maggiore

Casimiro Antonio Cartellieri (1772-1807) was born in Gdańsk. His father was an Italian tenor (...)

Read more
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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

Nicolai-Pfeffer-Theater