Franz Wilhelm Ferling
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Franz Wilhelm Ferling | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 September 1796 |
| Died | 18 December 1874 (aged 78) |
| Occupations | Oboist, composer, clarinetist |
| Children | 2 |
Franz Wilhelm Ferling (20 September 1796 – 8 December 1874) was a German oboist, composer, and clarinettist. An accomplished musician, he is chiefly remembered today for his 48 études for oboe, op. 31, which are commonly studied by oboists and saxophonists.[1]
Ferling was born in Halberstadt on 20 September 1796.[2] At the age of 18, Ferling began serving as a court musician for the Duke of Brunswick, a position which he would hold for most of his life.[3] From 1814 to 1816, he was a military musician, playing the clarinet.[2] Afterwards, he received a job as the principal oboist of the Brunswick court orchestra, a post which he held for 44 years.[2] There, Ferling played a wide variety of styles of music, including bel canto, Romantic music, and sacred music.[3]
On 1 November 1858 Ferling filed a petition for pension during his forthcoming retirement, citing persistent rheumatism and impairments in the functioning of his lungs:
I believe to have given full satisfaction throughout the time of my service, but feel no longer able to do so. Owing to my 44-year service as an oboe player, my lungs are so seriously affected that I am no longer capable of blowing sustained tones, and in addition I frequently suffer from severe bouts of rheumatism which I caught in the performance of my duty at the theatre; this is one more reason for my inability to faithfully meet my obligations.[2]
Ferling was granted pension on full salary, which came into effect on 1 January 1859. The only condition of this arrangement was that Ferling would play occasionally if required.[2] Ferling died in Brunswick on 18 December 1874.[2] Ferling had two sons; Gustav (b. 1835), a pianist and oboist, and Robert (1843-1881), who worked at the Staatstheater Stuttgart and was a court musician to Alexander II of Russia.[2]
