Largely self-taught, Bernhard Henrik Crusell rose from humble beginnings in the then-Swedish province of Finland, to become one of the most celebrated and highly-paid personalities in Swedish music life of the early nineteenth century. Recognised as one of the great clarinet virtuosi of his day, it was he who introduced clarinet virtuosi of his day, it was he who introduced Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto to Swedish audiences.

As a soloist, Crusell was disadvantaged on two fronts; his chosen instrument was a relatively new innovation with little solo repertoire, and he lived and worked in Stockholm, a cultural backwater at the time. He therefore began to compose works for himself to perform, completing three Clarinet Concertos, which he performed to widespread critical and public acclaim.