His name was Johann Christian Kretzschmann. He was born in Wernitzgrün, in 1776. Wernitzgrün is a district of the town of Markneukirchen in the Vogtland district of Saxony, Germany. He was the son of a bricklayer who later became an innkeeper. Johann Christian’s brother, Carl Friedrich, also made woodwinds. Married to a certain A. Christiane, née Lederer, at least three of their four sons were involved woodwind instrument making.

So, what on earth happened to this instrument? It certainly had a very difficult life – see photos! All the parts of this clarinet are present and seem to belong to each other. If we dare to go up close, we can see that it was probably screwed to a wall. (Maybe in his father’s inn?) There is a hole in the bell and another near the top fingerhole of the left-hand joint, where the instrument was fastened to the wall. There’s even some paint on the bell – perhaps left on the wall during a swift refurbishment? 

The clarinet may have survived precisely because it was screwed to a wall!

This rare clarinet is up for sale as is, meant for restoration. We’re hoping it finds a new owner who can put in the time and effort to make it look and even sound great again.

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