Hello to all. I want to be sure I have this correctly, that Mozart has only two clarinet pieces, Concerto for Clarinet in A Major, K.622, and Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A Major, K.581. Are these the only two clarinet pieces he wrote?
And, could you recommend a particular recording of these two pieces? Thanks in advance, as always.
I see now where he also wrote the Clarinet Trio, K.498
Quote from: dave b on October 21, 2009, 02:20:01 PM
I see now where he also wrote the Clarinet Trio, K.498
Yes,
Dave - you've listed his three main
clarinet orchestral & chamber works; the work quoted above is also called the
Kegelstatt Trio; there are some 'fragment' clarinet works and a transcription or so; I've always been surprised that Wolfie did not write more for this instrument - :-\
As to recommendations, again as w/ your horn request, the same options exist, i.e. period vs. modern instruments, combinations of pieces desired, and performances preferred; I have about a half dozen discs of these works w/ some repeats, but just to start off the recommendations (plenty out there!):
Wind Concertos - excellent value 'Double Decca' w/ clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, and the horn concertos (the latter w/ Barry Tuckwell) - of course, plenty of other discs of these works that others will certainly suggest!
Clarinet Quintet(s) w/ Alan Hacker on period instruments; includes the usual quintet, plus 'fragments' - I've had this disc for years and remains a favorite of mine.
Wind Chamber Music w/ the Nash Ensemble (love them!) - another great 2-CD value w/ the
Clarinet Trio, plus so much more!
And don't forget the wonderful Mozart & Beethoven
Piano Quintets, KV 452 & Op. 16, respectively - more wind quintets, including the clarinet - a MUST in your collection, but just too many choices. Good luck in your selection(s) - :D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KV6X8P30L._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/72/fb/f3f3c6da8da0f121d48f0110.L._AA240_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41NNN4RT08L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Sonic Man, thanks very much, ...I played the clarinet at one point, growing up in Southern Calif, but that was long long ago....
I am interested in recordings of modern instruments.
I second the "Nash Ensemble" rcording of the Clarinet Trio. Marvelous recording.
My absolute favorite recording of the Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet comes from Martin Frost. Its one of my "desert island" CDs that I could not live without. Its absolutely gorgeous and pristine sound quality. In my opinion the best version ever recorded. Why are you still reading this when you can purchase it here:
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?ordertag=Workrecom1957-78413&album_id=78725
Quote from: dave b on October 21, 2009, 03:14:28 PM
Sonic Man, thanks very much, ...I played the clarinet at one point, growing up in Southern Calif, but that was long long ago....
I am interested in recordings of modern instruments.
Well, you should at least hear the wooden clarinets of Mozart's times - that Hacker disc years ago was one of my introductions to period instruments - you might change your mind? I did - ;) ;D Dave (too)
Quote from: hornteacher on October 21, 2009, 03:20:35 PM
I second the "Nash Ensemble" recording of the Clarinet Trio. Marvelous recording.
My absolute favorite recording of the Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet comes from Martin Frost............
Good evening
HT - I really enjoy
Martin Frost, but just own the disc below of Brahms works - superb! Might have to add that Mozart suggestion to my 'wish list' - thanks! Dave :D
(http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2006/July06/Brahms_Frost_BISSACD1353.jpg)
To add to Dave's (Sonic Man) post. The orchestra on the Frost CD plays modern instruments but Frost himself plays a replica of Stadler's basset clarinet for which the concerto was written. Essentially its a regular A clarinet with a range that goes four half-steps lower. To listen to a modern transcription of the concerto with those low notes taken up an octave just absolutely destroys the beauty of those melodic lines in my opinion.
Quote from: SonicMan on October 21, 2009, 03:29:11 PM
Good evening HT - I really enjoy Martin Frost, but just own the disc below of Brahms works - superb! Might have to add that Mozart suggestion to my 'wish list' - thanks! Dave :D
(http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2006/July06/Brahms_Frost_BISSACD1353.jpg)
Yep, he hit that one out of the park too.
Right you are, I see where the period instruments would be a good thing...and hornteacher, thank you for the recommendation, I added it to my arkiv wishlist, reading what you said about what am I doing reading what you wrote, when I could be buying the cd...:)
I just listened to the version of Reginald Kell with the Zimbler Sinfonietta, of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. The quality of the recording is good (1950) and the interpretation is extraordinary. Kell gives us a sort of instrumental opera, with wonderful dialogues with the small orchestra.
28' of an intense pleasure, as if we were listening this work for the first time.
For the clarinet concerto:
On modern instrument(s): Marcellus/Szell. Still the recording I listen to again and again. A stupendous, probing intepretation by Marcellus minus the showmanship of most performers,
On period instrument(s): Pay/Hogwood
Also, the Frost is a must if just to hear what command the guy has over the instrument. The technique is unbelievable. It is as if he never took a breath.
Just put the post below in the 'listening thread' but will repeat here - decided to add a number of discs of these works to my collection; the one discussed just arrived today - the Frost recommended by
Hornteacher is in the mail and should be here early next week - :D
QuoteWell, stimulated by a 'new' thread on the clarinet works of Mozart, I decided to expand my collection:
Wolfie's Clarinet Quintet, Trio, & Quartet w/ the always fabulous L'Archibudelli on period instruments w/ the addition of Charles Neidich on several clarinets (including the basset variety - see lower pic below) & Robert Levin on the fortepiano; the clarinet trio is often called the Kegelstatt Trio, and the Clarinet Quartet is apparently an anonymous transcription (1799) of the Violin Sonata, K. 378 (according to the notes) - love these wooden clarinets and this group! :D
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/MozartClarinetArch/691192810_oJ6kt-O.jpg)
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/MozartClarinetArch2/691192798_M4ghA-O.jpg)
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on October 24, 2009, 08:20:52 AM
For the clarinet concerto:
Also, the Frost is a must if just to hear what command the guy has over the instrument. The technique is unbelievable. It is as if he never took a breath.
Frost uses a technique called circular breathing. It allows him to play continuously, pretty much forever, by pushing out a bit of air stored in his cheeks to keep the clarinet going while simultaneously inhaling through his nose. He does it so well that you never hear any fluctuation in his tone or sound quality. Amazing.
Quote from: secondwind on October 24, 2009, 04:37:27 PM
Frost uses a technique called circular breathing. It allows him to play continuously, pretty much forever, by pushing out a bit of air stored in his cheeks to keep the clarinet going while simultaneously inhaling through his nose. He does it so well that you never hear any fluctuation in his tone or sound quality. Amazing.
SW - great comment! :) Circular breathing seems to be a diverse technique for not only classical wind instruments, but for jazz performers and singers - nice summary on Wiki HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_breathing); as for singers, I think that
Frank Sinatra is a great example; he observed how Dorsey played the trombone in his early career, and developed his own method of breathing that carry his vocals effortlessly w/o seeming to take a breath! :)
One of my desert island discs:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516IJZAsnsL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Quote from: SonicMan on October 24, 2009, 04:50:39 PM
SW - great comment! :) Circular breathing seems to be a diverse technique for not only classical wind instruments, but for jazz performers and singers - nice summary on Wiki HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_breathing); as for singers, I think that Frank Sinatra is a great example; he observed how Dorsey played the trombone in his early career, and developed his own method of breathing that carry his vocals effortlessly w/o seeming to take a breath! :)
Probably the most famed example in jazz is Rahsaan Roland Kirk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahsaan_Roland_Kirk, who not only mastered circular breathing to play indefinitely, but also learned how to play multiple wind instruments at the same time, harmonizing with himself :)
Check him out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0JJmwq7KXQ
Quote from: secondwind on October 24, 2009, 04:37:27 PM
Frost uses a technique called circular breathing. It allows him to play continuously, pretty much forever, by pushing out a bit of air stored in his cheeks to keep the clarinet going while simultaneously inhaling through his nose. He does it so well that you never hear any fluctuation in his tone or sound quality. Amazing.
Yes, I know that. James Galway and Sharon Bezaly use the same technique. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe it. It's a miracle if you ask me, to do it so well as these guys.
It's even more amazing to me as a woodwind player myself; I can't do it and I've tried. (But I've never had anyone show me the specific techniques...)
It could be one of those things that even someone shows it too you correctly it is difficult to emulate if you don't have the talent (no offense). Tiger Woods can show me how to hit a golf ball and I would not be able to hit it the same way no matter how hard I try. It is not as if there aren't superlative woodwind players who do not use circular breathing.
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on October 26, 2009, 10:15:29 AM
It could be one of those things that even someone shows it too you correctly it is difficult to emulate if you don't have the talent (no offense). Tiger Woods can show me how to hit a golf ball and I would not be able to hit it the same way no matter how hard I try. It is not as if there aren't superlative woodwind players who do not use circular breathing.
No offense taken. :)