The Stradivarius of the Clarinet World

Maksim Shtrykov performs on a remarkable set of boxwood clarinets (Bb, A, and basset clarinet) handcrafted by Jochen Seggelke—head artisan and co‑founder of the German workshop Schwenk & Seggelke.* When Maksim first played these instruments in 2020, their projection, warmth, and extraordinary palette of colors left such a deep impression that he affectionately began calling them “My Stradivarii.”

For the first centuries of the clarinet’s history, boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) was the primary material used by instrument makers. Its fine grain and density produced a sound that was flexible, vocal, and rich in nuance. By the early 20th century, however, industrialization and global trade made exotic hardwoods more accessible, and grenadilla gradually replaced boxwood as the standard. Boxwood’s extremely slow growth rate also made it difficult to harvest in large quantities.

Despite these challenges, Seggelke’s extensive experience with historical clarinet building—and the unmistakable acoustic character of boxwood—led the workshop to revive this beautiful material for modern instruments. Boxwood clarinets offer a uniquely expressive sound: supple in quiet dynamics, powerful in fortissimo, and remarkably even across the full range. Their ability to carry the subtlest inflections with clarity and warmth invites a more nuanced, intimate style of playing. It is no coincidence that Anton Stadler and Richard Mühlfeld, the two clarinetists who inspired Mozart and Brahms in their final years, both performed on boxwood instruments. The wood’s voice—its warmth, its flexibility, its human quality—helped shape the masterpieces written for them.

*Since January 2021, the company has continued to operate as Seggelke Klarinetten.