Biography of Theobald Böhm (1794-1881)
09.04.1794
Born in Munich, first of eleven children of a goldsmith
1800
First lessons with a flageolett
1802
Changes to the flute
1807
Works in the shop of his father
1810
Sells his instruments after successful development of a four-key flute guided by Genser. At the same time lessons from Capeller and cooperation with hin in the enhancement of the instrumental technic.
1812
Beside his working as a goldsmith first flutist at the Isarthor theatre.
01.06.1818
Employment as first flutist at the royal court band in Munich, at the same time studies of composition with Grätz and instrumentation with Stuntz
13.10.1820
Marriage with Anna Rohrleitner.
11.12.1820
First premiere of a composition of his own (concerto in G) in Munich, dedicated to Fürstenau
1821
Concert tour of one year through Germany
1822
Birth of his daughter Maria
1823
Birth of his son Ludwig
1824
Second tour through Germany, this time together with Molique
1825
Birth of his son Karl
1826
Concert journey throuth Switzerland and Southern Germany
1827
Birth of his son Theobald
1828
From June to August concert tour through Austria and Northern Italy, in October foundation of a flute work shop
1829
Birth of son Wilhelm
1830
Birth of his son Max
1831
Birth of his son August
1832
Making of a ring key flute
25.04.1833
First concert using the new flute in the Odeon
1833
Visit of Gordon for a few months. He makes Böhm make the flute of his own concept.
1837
Birth of his son Otto
08.05.1837
Presentation of the new flute at the academy of science in Paris
01.01.1839
Knight of first class of the Bavarian Order of the holy Michael
1839
Stops his work as a flute maker to have more time for other topics.
1840
Arrangement with Rudall & Rose, who will make the flutes designed by Böhm.
1845
Teacher of Moritz Fürstenau.
1846
Studies acoustics at the Munich university and decision for cylindrical flutes.
1847
Publication of his book "Über den Flötenbau und die neuesten Verbesserungen desselben". In the same year re-opening of the workshop and building of the first metal flute.
1855
Presentation of his latest instrument and his book about flute building at the Parisian world exhibition.
1858
The first alto flute leaves his workshop
1871
Publication of his second book: "Die Flöte und das Flötenspiel in akustischer, rechnischer und artistischer Beziehung"
Known as the best flutist of his time in Germany beside Anton Bernhard Fürstenau. Contemporaries said his tone to be better than that of Drouet and Fürstenau. Technically he could not cope with them.
Teacher of more than 100 students, among them besides Moritz Fürstenau Karl Krueger, Carl Wehner and Rudolf Tillmetz and composer of about 100 compositions and editions.
25.11.1881
Dies in Munich
27.11.1881
Buried on the southern cemetery
Further information/Sources:
- → Theobald Böhm bei Wikipedia
- → Theobald Böhm: Wettbewerb und Archiv
- → Sammlung Prager im Deutschen Museum, München
- → CDs by/of Theobald Böhm bei JPC (mit Hörproben)
- → Music by/with Theobald Böhm at amazon.de
- → Books about or by Theobald Böhm
Sheet music for flute:
24 Melodious Studies op. 37 (Etüde)
(flute)
Rating: mid-grade
3 Lieder aus dem Schwanengesang von Franz Schubert
(alto flute, piano)
Zimmermann, ZM 35180
Rating: mid-grade
- Ständchen
- Das Fischermädchen
- Am Meer
The underlying poems are included in this edition.
Die Bearbeitungen mit Altflöte
(flute, alto flute (clarinet (english horn (violin))), piano)
Zimmermann, ZM 33880
Rating: easy
- La Pesca aus Soirées musicales (G. Rossini)
- La Serenata aus Soirées musicales (G. Rossini)
- Sonatine aus Pièces faciles op. 3 (C. M. v. Weber)
- Romance aus Pièces faciles, op. 3 (C. M. v. Weber)
- Cantabile aus 32 Préludes pour l'orgue (G. J. Vogler)
Parts and score, also for each alternatives to alto flute.
Fantasie - über ein Thema von Schubert op. 21 (As-Dur)
(flute, piano)
Universal Edition, UE 15 971
Rating: difficult
- Introduktion (Andante)
- Thema (Andante)
- Var. 1-3
- Adagio
- Rondo Allegretto
The melody variied is the Trauerwalzer op. 9 by Schubert.
Grande Polonaise op. 16 (D-Dur)
(flute, piano)
Gerard Billaudot, G 2290 B
Rating: difficult
- Introduktion (Adagio maestoso)
- Polonaise
Larghetto op. 35 (f-moll)
(flute, piano)
Gerard Billaudot, G 5709 B
Rating: difficult
- Larghetto
Larghetto - aus dem Klarinettenquintett KV 581 (D-Dur) (Bearbeitung)
(alto flute, piano)
Theobald-Böhm-Archiv, TBA 83
Rating: mid-grade
- Adagio
The slowly movement of the clarinet concerto was transcribed for alto flute by Böhm at the time he built his first alto.
Trois Duos de Mendelssohn et Lachner
(2 flutes, piano)
Bärenreiter, BA6895
Rating: mid-grade
- Allegretto non troppo
- Allegro agitato
- Allegro non troppo
CDs with/from Theobald Böhm
Claude Debussy (1989)
- Georg Philipp Telemann: Fantaisie en fa dièse mineur (04:52:00)
- Georg Philipp Telemann: Fantaisie en mi mineur (04:50:00)
- Theobald Böhm: Air allemand (05:12:00)
- I. Allemande (05:48:00)
- II. Corrente (03:50:00)
- III. Sarabande (04:52:00)
- IV. Bourrée anglaise (01:52:00)
- Niccolo Paganini: 24e Caprice (06:39:00)
- I. Poco adagio (05:43:00)
- II. Allegro (04:07:00)
- III. Allegro (03:04:00)
- Claude Debussy: Syrinx (02:48:00)
- André Jolivet: Incantation (02:33:00)
- Pierre-Octave Ferroud: Jade (02:24:00)
- Franco Donatoni: Nidi (07:05:00)
- Paul-Agricole Génin: Carnaval de Venise (05:07:00)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita a-moll BWV 1013:
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Sonate a-moll:
Auf dieser Aufnahme wurden Original-Instrumente des 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts verwendet.
Académ European Solist, Claudio Casadei, Claudio Ferrarini
- Andante (02:20:00)
- Andantino Théme "Nel cor piu non mi sento" (01:27:00)
- Var. 1 (01:33:00)
- Var 2 Più moto (01:05:00)
- Var. 3 (01:14:00)
- Var. 4 Più lento (01:50:00)
- Var. 5 (01:16:00)
- Var. 6 (01:05:00)
- Adagio maestoso (02:42:00)
- Polonaise (09:33:00)
- Andante (02:32:00)
- Le Desir, Tema (01:03:00)
- Var. 1 (01:06:00)
- Var. 2 (01:09:00)
- Var. 3 (01:19:00)
- Adagio (02:58:00)
- Rondo Allegretto (03:12:00)
- Introduzione (02:16:00)
- Andante, Thème (01:13:00)
- Var. 1 Più lento (01:35:00)
- Var. 2 Presto (01:23:00)
- Var. 3 Più lento (01:29:00)
- Adagio (02:08:00)
- Var. 4 Allegro (01:31:00)
Théme varié de "La Molinara" da G. Paisiello:
Grande Polonaise op. 16:
"Fantasia le Desir" su un tema di Schubert, op. 21:
"Fantasie" sur des thème Suisse in E-Dur, op. 23:
Marie-Christine Amann, Michel Roublot
Variations - Art &Virtuosite
- Paul-Agricole Génin: Air Napolitain - Theme & variations (00:00:00)
- Frederick Chopin: Sur un theme de Cendrillon, opera de Rossini, Variations 1,2,3 & 4 (00:00:00)
- Theobald Böhm: Variations brillantes sur un air suisse Theme & variations 1,2 & 3, Adagio & Variation 4 (00:00:00)
- Paul-Agricole Génin: Carnaval de Venise op. 14 Theme & variations 1,2,3,5,6 & 8 (00:00:00)
- Gioacchino Rossini: Sonate dite opera, extrait de Cendrillon. Theme et variation (00:00:00)
- Friedrich Kuhlau: Air irlandais - la Derniere rose de l'ete. Theme et variations 1,4,5,6 & 7 (00:00:00)
- Francois Borne: Fantaisie brillante sur Carmen de G. Bizet (00:00:00)
- Théodore Gouvy: Introduction & Polonaise (00:00:00)
Das war ein Geschenk des Institut Theodore Gouvy. Die anderen Werke sind alle mehr oder weniger gut bekannt. Virtuose Flötenmusik, schön gespielt.
Literature von/über Theobald Böhm
- Flöteninstrumente und ihre Baugeschichte - Spielpraxis - Komponisten und ihre Werke - Interpreten1. edition Laaber: Laaber-Verlag,2009. - ISBN: 978-3-89007-545-7
- in akustischer, technischer und artistischer BeziehungFrankfurt: Zimmermann,1980. - ISBN: 3-921729-04-1
- in Acoustical, Technical, and Artistic AspectsNew York: Dover Publications Inc.,1964. - ISBN: 0-486-21259-9
- Celle: Edition Moeck,1987. - ISBN: 3-87549-028-2
- The instrument - the performer - the music9. edition Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press,- ISBN: 0-89672-285-6
- Tonger, P. J.: Conversations-Lexikon der TonkunstBeilage der Neuen MusikzeitungKöln: Wilhelm Hassel,1910.
- With Illustrations Exemplifying Its Origin by Progressive Stages (1883)- ISBN: 9781104178864
Last edit 02.04.2012