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Charles Draper

Charles Draper (23 October 1869 – 21 October 1952) was a British  clarinetist, sometimes described as the grandfather of English clarinetists. Draper was born in Odcombe, Somerset. He came from a musical family, his father and brother, having been cellists and clarinetists, respectively. In 1888, he studied with Henry Lazarus, and he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music where he continued as a student of Lazarus until the latter's retirement. He also studied for a year under Julian Egerton. Draper premiered Stanford'sClarinet Concerto in 1903 with the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra. Stanford's Clarinet Sonata was also dedicated to Draper. Charles Draper was also a notable teacher, teaching at the Royal College of Music, Trinity College of Music, and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and counting Frederick Thurston among his students. His son, Paul Beaumont Draper, was also an accomplished bassoonist. Draper died in Surbiton, aged 82.

​Bishop: "Variations on Home Sweet Home"

Recorded @1901-1903

Charles Draper was a young clarinetist when he heard the first performances of the Brahms Quintet in England with Meulfeld and the Joachim Quartet.  

We have a unique and historic opportunity to hear a clarinetist, on recording, who heard this work played by the musicians it was written for. George Bernard Shaw heard the Quintet played by Muelfeld and, later, Draper and preferred Draper's playing.

It is interesting to consider the RUBATO and style used in the recording here. Brahms had died only twenty years before the 1917 recording.  Is this the style that Brahms would have felt comfortable with and actually expect in the performance of his music?  Listen closely to the following excerpt of Brahms playing his Hungarian Dance No. 1 as well as recordings of Joseph Joachim in 1906, and of Fanny Davies and Ilona Eibenschütz, pianists who studied with Clara Schumann, knew Brahms and heard him play. 

 

 



Brahms Plays His Hungarian Dance No.1 (Excerpt), 1889 and Joseph Joachim. 1903

​Brahms: Clarinet Quintet op115 Mvt1

London String Quartet @ 1917

​Brahms: Clarinet Quintet op115 Mvt1

Lener String Quartet @ 1927

​Brahms: Clarinet Quintet op115 Mvt2

Lener String Quartet @ 1927

​Brahms: Clarinet Quintet op115 Mvt3

Lener String Quartet @ 1927

​Brahms: Clarinet Quintet op115 Mvt4

Lener String Quartet @ 1927

Charles Draper

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