Hofmann, Leopold (1738-1793)

This edition of the Concertino in C is based on the sole-surviving set of manuscript parts now preserved in the Narodn Muzeum Prague under the shelfmark Clam Gallas XLII B 252. The wrapper reads " No.4 / Concertino / a / 2 Violini / 2 Violoncelli obl. / 2 Oboe / 2 Corni / Viola Basso / Del Sigl: Leopoldo Hoffmann / Clam Gallas ". Its presence in the famous Quartbuch catalogue, along with three other Hofmann concertini which are also preserved in this source, establishes a composition date no later than ca. 1775. In the absence of both the autograph score and an authentic set of parts, this edition presents as faithfully as possible the intentions of the composer as transmitted in this source. As is usual in Hofmann's concertos there are no dynamic markings in the solo sections; these are left to the discretion and good taste of the performer. The style and notation of articulation and dynamic markings have been standardized throughout, and, where missing from the source, reconstructed from parallel passages. These are indicated by the use of dotted slurs or brackets. Like most eighteenth century sources, the present manuscript is very inconsistent in its notation of appoggiature ; these too have been standardized to minimize confusion. Obvious wrong notes have been corrected without comment; editorial emendations with no authority from the source are placed within brackets. Allan Badley