The Stradivarius of the Clarinet World

Maksim Shtrykov plays on a remarkable set of boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) clarinets (Bb, A, and Basset clarinet) which were handmade by Jochen Seggelke, the head artisan and one of the founders of the German clarinet manufacturing company Schwenk & Seggelke*. When he first got to play his new clarinets in 2020, the sound of the instruments amazed him with their projection and richness of colors so much that he has lovingly nicknamed his set “My Stradivarii”.

When the clarinet was invented over three centuries ago, boxwood was being used for instrument making. However, at the turn of the 20th century, industrialization and colonization made it possible to import exotic wood, and boxwood gradually became less commonly used in favor of grenadilla. In addition, the growth rate of boxwood is very slow, thus it is difficult to harvest the wood in large quantities.

Despite the limited quantity in materials, Schwenk & Seggelke’s experience in replicating historical clarinets, as well as the audibly different properties of boxwood, have led them to build modern clarinets from this fantastic wood. Instruments made from boxwood display a vastly flexible, rich sound, even in extreme dynamics (loud tones & quiet tones) and extreme pitches (high & low). This makes for a more expressive performance without compromises in volume or focus. With its ability to transport the subtlest dynamics beautifully and clearly, had Anton Stadler and Richard Mühlfeld not played on boxwood clarinets, perhaps their artistry alone would not have inspired Mozart and Brahms, respectively, to write masterpieces in their final years.

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