DENNER, JOHANN CHRISTOPH

born Aug. 13, 1655, Leipzig died April 20, 1707, Nrnberg, Bavaria German maker of musical instruments and inventor of the clarinet. Denner's father, Heinrich, made horns and animal calls; from him Christoph learned instrument building, at the same time becoming an excellent performer. His energy was mainly devoted to improving already existing woodwind instruments, and his well-tuned recorders, flutes, oboes, and bassoons were highly regarded throughout Europe. He invented the clarinet sometime between 1690 and 1700, although other types of single-reed instruments had a long history and wide currency, especially in folk music. One of these, the chalumeau (a term also used for a double-reed instrument), was known to Denner; apparently his attempts to refine the chalumeau led to his invention of the clarinet. Denner's two sons continued the family tradition of instrument building.