Concertos for Clarinet and Orchestra

On this CD:

1. Clarinet Concerto
Composed by Jeffrey Nytch
Performed by Seattle Symphony Orchestra with Richard Stoltzman
Conducted by Gerard Schwarz

2. Clarinet Concerto
Composed by Margaret Brouwer
Performed by Seattle Symphony Orchestra with Richard Stoltzman
Conducted by Gerard Schwarz

3. Culinary Concerto for clarinet & orchestra
Composed by Marie Barker Nelson
Performed by Seattle Symphony Orchestra with Richard Stoltzman
Conducted by Gerard Schwarz

4. Going Home, for clarinet, piano & orchestra
Composed by William Thomas McKinley
Performed by Seattle Symphony Orchestra with William Thomas McKinley, Richard Stoltzman
Conducted by Gerard Schwarz

Tracks:

Horn Concerto No.1 In D, K.412: Allegro
Horn Concerto No.1 In D, K.412: Rondo (Allegro)
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Allegro maestoso
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Andante
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Rondo
Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Allegro
Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Romance (Larghetto)
Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Allegro
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Allegro moderato
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Romance (Andante)
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Rondo (Allegro vivace)
Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Wind K.452: Largo-Allegro moderato
Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Wind K.452: Larghetto
Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Wind K.452: Rondo (Allegro)

Customer Reviews:

What Hath God Wrought?.......2007-04-02

Well ...

If you're reading this, it's likely that you have already have already heard about Dennis Brain and in particular the famous passages where his rapid playing left a generation of listeners shaking their heads in astonishment.

This is how everyone first hears of him: a sort of circus act with lots of notes but without the great tone that distinguishes really good horn playing. This first impression is strengthened by stories about the strange, narrow-bore horn he played and by the sound of occasionally clipped staccato notes and a tight low range. As someone once said, "My faults, according to this calculation, are heavy indeed!"

But in Brain's case as well as in Fitzwilliam Darcy's, closer acquaintance reverses the impression altogether.

At odds with the idea of frenetic speed, Brain produces some of the most sensitive phrase shaping you'll find in any musical recordings. His effortless mastery gives many passages a relaxed feeling that suggests he is playing them a third lower than written. His recordings of hornists' two signature pieces -- Strauss's first horn concerto and Mozart's third -- are both gentler than any other recording in the catalogue. He plays the Mozart third at a surprisingly slow tempo and turns the first page of the Strauss, which most players muscle up on, into a lullaby.

In the middle and upper ranges, Brain's tone, while unobtrusive, is so full and pure that many people say they have a tendency to block out everything else and just listen to that sound. That may not seem an asset for ensemble playing, but his accompaniment playing was wonderful and his reliability a huge asset for his colleagues. The expectation of perfection became so other-worldly that, on the inevitable day when Brain finally flubbed a passage in rehearsal, the always mischievous Sir Thomas Beecham stopped the orchestra, put his baton down, and just said, "Thank God."

Brain's trills, lip trills in particular, are uniquely clear, and at the end of the day, yes, there is that fabulously rapid articulation that leaves listeners wondering whether they were dreaming what they just heard.

This playing all emanated from a personality that was apparently of the utmost simplicity and modesty. Alan Civil had the last word on this forty years ago in his remembrance of Brain on the jacket of "The Art of Dennis Brain" album (Seraphim 60040, if you can find it). Try also [...] Brain's early, accidental death strikes one the same way as Beethoven's deafness does: a hint that higher forces are at play.

No, this is not a review of Brain's Mozart. It is an invitation to begin an acquaintance. Dig in!

World class music.......2007-01-10

By far the best rendition of the Mozart Horn Concertos ever produced. David Brain must be the "El Supremo" of horn playing. An added bonus on this CD is the Quintet in E flat for piano and wind and with Colin Horsley as the pianist is an added treat for New Zealanders. A "MUST HAVE" for all lovers of Mozart.

I Wish Dennis Brain Had Been Born So That His Performing Powers Peaked in 1995.......2006-05-17

I purchased The LP in 1953 and proceeded to 'wear it out.' No, I have not yet thrown it out.

However, I have had the good fortune to find myself a resident of the San Francisco Peninsula since 1970 and, in time, have had the privilege to make the acquaintance of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, who perform one of each of their annual subscription concert series locally here in Palo Alto.

In 1992 they recorded the Horn Concertos with Lowell Greer performing them on the natural (valveless) horn, the instrument which was in use at the time Mozart composed them. Given the temperamental nature of the the instrument, the recording is doubtless a composite of many 'takes.' It is also a breathtaking performance and is now my 'standard.' See:

[...]

Take a moment to listen to some of the available tracks.

Form your own opinion.

A Master Performs a Master.......2005-08-20

I'm not much of a classical music reviewer. I've been exposed to a lot of music, but I tend to stick to favorite performances, so I don't have the depth needed to really be authoritative. Except perhaps for oboe, and that's because I grew up listening to John De Lancie and Marcel Tabuteau - and once you hear really good, you know what's what. This album is a similar case. Dennis Brain wasn't a 'good' French horn player, he was probably the best that there ever was or will be.

I've heard a lot of performance horn players. All you have to do to see what I mean is to wander through this website and pick off performances of the first movement of Horn Concerto No. 2 in E flat and you will discover that Brain never blurbles a note, and every attack in the Allegro Maestoso is pinpoint. He is technically and tonally perfect and couples that with a superb musical sensibility. It was one of the great musical tragedies that he died at the age of 36.

Something to keep in mind is that when Mozart wrote these works for his good friend (and cheesemonger) Joseph Leutgeb, the French horn was a very limited instrument. Many of the notes were reached by stopping the bell to some degree, which affected volume and intonation. Mozart wrote to take advantage of Leutgeb's expertise at this, and Dennis Brain chooses to maintain this effect rather than just play his modern instrument with no thought to the past.

These compositions cover a fair range of time. Number 2(K.417) is really the earliest (1783). And the incomplete No. 1 (K.412) is really the last (1791). The best though, in both my mind and Mozart's is the Quintet in E flat for piano & wind. Mozart was a master in using instrument groupings in novel and powerful fashion and this is no exception.

EMI has remastered this CD over their previous release, which enhances clarity, and makes it easier to hear Dennis Brain's considerable finesse. I own their first release and the difference in clarity makes it worth finding this edition. But even the duller production of the 1997 is enjoyable. It you want a good selection of Dennis Brain's work on one CD this is an excellent buy.

Mozart: Horn Concert.......2005-08-14

Great recordings of the century, and that is what it is.
Herbart von Karajan conducting, and Dennis Brain on horn tells it all; a wonderful rich music experience are waiting for you.
In my ears its probably one of the best recordings ever made of the horn concert. And even though its from the mid 50`s it comes in a wonderful remastered CD.
The CD comes with a very good booklet in English; telling the story behind the record.
I highly recommend this album

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Grand Duo Concertante; Concertino

Average customer rating:

Pleasing interpretations at an excellent price
good
Good Basic Weber CD
Nothing special, but worth a look
An absolute steal!

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Grand Duo Concertante; Concertino

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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French Clarinet Art
Brahms: Clarinet Sonata In E Flat/Clarinet Sonata In F/Schumann: Fantasiestücke,Op.73
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto; Clarinet Quintet
Bruch: Works for Clarinet & Viola
The Essential Clarinet

ASIN: B00005OBRG
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Rondo - Allegretto
Concertino For Clarinet And Orchestra In E Flat Major, Op.26: Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Andante - Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Andante Con Moto
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Alla Polacca
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Allegro Con Fuego - Paul Meyer
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Andante Con Moto - Paul Meyer
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Rondo - Paul Meyer

Customer Reviews:

Pleasing interpretations at an excellent price.......2006-11-06

These are not overly flashy performances, just very musical. Boeykens is technically secure, and he makes these works sound easy. His musicality is genial, with dramatic touches as required. His performances naturally delineate the form of the music, while tastefully playing up its early Romantic emotional qualities. Easily the best bargain in Weber clarinet concerto recordings. My opinion of the Meyers performance of the Grand Duo is similar.

good.......2005-08-16

This CD is well recorded and the musicianship is excellent. The compositions seem to me good but not great. A nice listen and good price.

Good Basic Weber CD.......2004-09-06

Boeyken's rendition of the Weber pieces are very good. I may agree with a previous poster that the performances aren't spectacularly exciting. However, as a clarinetist I've played and heard these pieces performed so many times that it would be next to impossible to create a "ground-breaking" recording, no matter how hard the clarinetist tries. That being said, Boeyken's renditions are very pleasant and played with technical perfection. They will not disappoint.

I personally like Paul Meyer's rendition of Grand Duo Concertante. It is quite fast, so many passages that might be intricately phrased at a slower tempo are just torn through by Meyer, but if you are looking for a technically impressive performance, this will do.

At the price, this is a great CD, especially for someone wanting to hear the Concerti played in a conservative style. My favorite Weber Concerti is Sabine Meyer's on EMI (her interpretations are much more daring than Boeykens), so you might check that out also. Any music fan's CD library should have enough room for many renditions of these famous staples from the clarinet world.

Nothing special, but worth a look.......2004-06-16

Walter Boeykens does not have a stand-out, easy-to-identify tone, and does not play with an outward charm. But however, the performance is technically flawless and confidently played. James Conlon, one of the great American conductors today, leads the Rotterdam to a phenominal accompainment.
In the Concertante, Paul Meyer plays his typical fast rendition. Though he pulled it off, this recording of the concertante seems a bit sloppy and unattractive to me. Perhaps it is because this is one of Meyer's earlier recording jobs prior to hitting it big with Denon in the early 90's. Anyway, his tonguing, especially in movement 1 was not quite sharp, and he also takes a long annoying repeat that rarely shows on any other recordings (and for good reason, too!), as a result prolonging the length of the first movement to well over 7 minutes.

Still, this disc is well worth buying. At a measly 6.98 bucks, it contains a lot of music: 4 complete pieces including 2 concertos, a set of variations (the concertino), and the concertante which is really a sonata-like composition. All centerpieces of romantic era solo clarinet literature.

An absolute steal!.......2004-04-15

What you get for $6 is absolutely amazing! Walter Boeykens takes the Weber Clarinet Concerti to new heights. In particular, his playing during the alla polacca of the Concerto in E-flat Major is nothing short of supberb. It is the most effortless version of these pieces that I have ever heard. I am buying more of these for family members; it's probably the best-valued clarinet CD out there today.

Average customer rating:

Mixed bag
Not the best bass album out there
Bottessini
Excellent Variety, Outstanding Execution
More fun than a barrel of monkeys

Meyer & Bottesini Concertos
Edgar Meyer
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites: Performed on Double Bass
Edgar Meyer
Uncommon Ritual
Short Trip Home
Bottesini;Music for Double Bass & Piano Vol.1

ASIN: B0000667R3
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Tracks:

Meyer: Double Concerto for Cello and Double Bass: Movement I
Meyer: Double Concerto for Cello and Double Bass: Movement II
Meyer: Double Concerto for Cello and Double Bass: Movement III
Bottesini: Concerto No. 2 in B Minor for Double Bass and Orchestra: Movement I-allegro moderato
Bottesini: Concerto No. 2 in B Minor for Double Bass and Orchestra: Movement II-Andante
Bottesini: Concerto No. 2 in B Minor for Double Bass and Orchestra: Movement III-allegro
Meyer: Concerto in D for Double Bass and Orchestra: Movement I
Meyer: Concerto in D for Double Bass and Orchestra: Movement II
Meyer: Concerto in D for Double Bass and Orchestra: Movement III
Bottesini: Gran Duo Concertante

Amazon.com

On this record, featuring Edgar Meyer as both composer and bassist, the playing's the thing, and it is spectacular. His performance of four virtuoso concertos, two by himself and two by Bottesini, eclipses his compositions, though his stylistic versatility is in full evidence in both his works. The Concerto for Bass has elements of jazz and blues, and a good deal of textural contrast and imaginative orchestration, but it is repetitive and a bit dreary. In the hair-raisingly difficult Bottesini Concerto, Meyer performs every imaginable and many unimaginable technical feats, covering a range of more than six octaves and producing sounds from growls to flutelike harmonics. Apparently craving even more pyrotechnics, he substitutes his own cadenzas for the composer's.

Two equally stunning virtuosos join him for the other works. In his Double Concerto for Cello and Bass, he and Yo-Yo Ma chase each other up the fingerboard to the highest register, where, with their lines answering and interweaving, it is sometimes impossible to tell them apart. The piece is tonal and modal and supposedly classical in form, but quite dissonant. The middle movement alternates motoric outbursts with eerie, unvibrated sustained passages; the finale combines folk-fiddling with blues. Joshua Bell and Meyer play Bottesini's Duo Concertante for Violin and Bass with incredible virtuosity and obvious relish. Bell's tone is ravishingly beautiful and his charm, flair, and style are irresistible. Like his older compatriot Paganini, Bottesini was enthralled by Italian opera. The piece is full of dramatic recitatives and meltingly songful cantilenas, with the soloists bursting into arias and love duets and the orchestra setting the stage and providing the atmosphere. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Mixed bag.......2007-07-05

Meyer's playing is, to my ear, impeccable, and with the addition of Bell and Yo-Yo Ma you have three great virtuosos playing on this CD.

My only problem is that I love the Bottesini works and feel so-so on his own compositions. I feel that the audience would have been better served if he had created two CDs; one with Bottesini bass works (and other standard classical music) and one with his own "Appalachian-style" compositions.

I don't think that his own compositions are necessarily bad; I just don't particularly appreciate them as much as I do his playing of classical repertoire.

One thing to commend, though, is that Meyer is taking an instrument that lacks a large library of music and featuring it in remarkable performances of existant pieces as well as creating his own works.

Not the best bass album out there.......2006-12-26

Edgar Meyer is an incredible talent on the instrument. The two classical CD's of his that I've heard, this and the Bach, have flawless intonation and attack on every note. While it's great to raise the bar for double bassists, I feel his musicality both as a performer and as a composer is decidedly lacking, now that there are many great performers on the instrument. When I listen to him next to, say, Gary Karr, Eugene Levinson, and Jeff Bradetich, his sound is nowhere near as interesting. It's solid, but not complex, and multiple listenings haven't led me to discover new things about the music, which is quite the opposite on those of his competitors. He plays the Bottesini like he's only half enjoying himself. Frankly, that is not acceptable for music like this. Meyer, to me, is just playing notes on a page. Gary Karr, on the other hand, lives every note that he plays...he wastes nothing (at least on most of his recordings). I've given blind listening tests to non-musicians and right from the first note of Gary Karr they prefer him; his sound grabs them and doesn't let go.

Also, for a more historically accurate performance, you can get the Thomas Martin Bottesini album with the other Bottesini concerto (F# minor) on it. Thomas Martin studied Bottesini's method books, fingerings, and virtually tried to become Bottesini. And all the other bassists I listed (and there are others as well) play with more passion and a more interesting sound. Don't be fooled just by technique--this music should have much more to it than that.

Meyer admitted in a phone interview published in a Chicago newspaper that he doesn't like the double bass repertoire one bit...which is why he mostly performs his own works. That being said, Bottesini's Grand Duo with Josh Bell is probably my favorite piece on the CD, maybe the only memorable one. Meyer is a good composer, I think; his Appalachian and bluegrass-style pieces are so much fun to listen to. I feel he should stick to that as a composer and performer. His two concertos here have some great moments, but overall are shallow and boring.

I realize I'm extremely opinionated about Meyer, but I think it's necessary to give voice to honest criticism, and I'm not the only double bassist who feels the way I do. It's sort of like listening to jazz and only checking out Wynton Marsalis--there is much better music out there, more authentically played if it's older music, and better musicianship if it's more contemporary jazz that Marsalis really doesn't do. If you really love Meyer's playing over Gary Karr, Eugene Levinson, Jeff Bradetich, Thomas Martin, Franco Petracchi, and Edwin Barker, then support him. Don't just support him because he's on the Sony Classical label and he's the only double bassist you've ever heard of.

Other suggestions:
Anything by Eugene Levinson
Gary Karr--Spirit of Koussevitzky, Virtuoso D.B. Concertos
Anything by Jeff Bradetich
Thomas Martin--recordings of Bottesini works
Franco Petracchi--an EMI album, hard to find on CD, of a Bottesini Duo
Jeremy McCoy--Dialogues with Double Bass (superb musicianship)

These gentlemen are excellent classical soloists, not just masters of their instrument. Happy listening!

Bottessini.......2006-08-15

This CD was interesting, but most of the selections were not good music. There was one selection out of all, which was probably why I wanted to own this CD. Interesting double bass works.

Excellent Variety, Outstanding Execution.......2006-01-05

This album is a must have. No one ever really thinks of double bass used much as a solo instrument. It tends to fade into the woodwork in symphony orchestra as the foundation of orchestral works. Enter Edgar Meyer. Meyer is probably one of the most accomplished musicians I have ever heard on ANY instrument. Meyer is an unbelievable virtuoso possessing all of the great qualities of an outstanding musician. His speed is unreal, his tone is nothing short of beautiful, his sensitivity is full of emotion and his dynamic playing leaves the audience captivated by all the things that a double bass can do that we never even thought about. Meyer is without a doubt one of the most outstanding musicians around today.

This disc has two extremes of music for the double bass. We hear the everything from Edgar Meyer's genre-crossing, ground breaking compositions to the traditional 19th century work of Giovanni Bottesini. Meyer's work as a composer is just as excellent as his work as a performer. He pushes the boundaries of classical music by incorporating other genres but stays within the framework of the tradition of classical music. The result is quite phenominal.

It is also wonderful to hear the other performances of Meyer with Joshua Bell and Yo-Yo Ma. Essentially, this disc acts as a who's who of the bowed instruments. Both Ma and Bell are also very amazing players and really contribute to the sound of the recording. The cello and the violin add a nice touch variety to the album as well. It is especially refreshing to hear the piercing high tone of Joshua Bell at the end. His playing is absolutely gorgeous. I have reason to believe that Mr. Bell could make me cry if he played right.

This disc is quite outstanding. Any lover of classical music will find absolute elation in it. This is truely outstanding work.

More fun than a barrel of monkeys.......2003-03-21

In this digitally mastered age where perfectly virtuosic performances threaten to lose their capacity to amaze, Edgar Meyer does it brilliantly by making the most unwieldy of behemoth instruments dance on its toes. ...his compositional skills, while impressive, lose some of their glitz paired with his incredible virtuosity. But, they are very enjoyable works. The concerto for Bass works particularly well, I feel: it is effective as both a showcase of his abilities as a performer, has real musical interest, and pulls traditionally American musical ideas into the mix without sounding trite.

As an aside, not since Glenn Gould have I enjoyed a performer's "spontaneous vocal improvisation" additions on a recording. Meyer's percussive exhalations on off-beats in the highly rhythmic passages (especially in the 3rd movement of the Bottesini concerto and in the duet) are too much fun!

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Concertino; Clarinet Quintet
Average customer rating:

Polished playing, but somewhat aloof

Sabine Meyer - Best clarinetist alive

Just okay

Meyer's Recordings are the Best!

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Concertino; Clarinet Quintet

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sabine Meyer - A Night at the Opera

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Grand Duo Concertante; Concertino

ASIN: B00008QSCT
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

I. Allegro (Cadenza - Heinrich Joseph Barmann)
II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
III. Rondo (Allegretto)
I. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
II. Andante
III. Allegro
I.Allegro
II. Romanza (Andante)
III. Alla Polacca
I. Allegro - Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn
II. Fantasia (Adagio Ma Non Troppo) - Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester
III. Menuetto (Capriccio Presto) & Trio - Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn
IV. Rondo (Allegro Giocoso) - Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn

Customer Reviews:

Polished playing, but somewhat aloof.......2006-11-06

For masterful clarinetistry and good taste, Ms. Meyer's Weber is first rate. My only issue is that she is often somewhat businesslike in her approach to the music. Weber was an early Romanticist, and much of his musical impetus comes from opera. Therefore, I would have liked to hear more Romantic expressiveness in these performances. Having said that, I still believe this recording is worth having, especially for clarinetists.

Sabine Meyer - Best clarinetist alive.......2006-06-18

She has evrything, extrordinary technique, fabulous intonation, inovative musical ideas that are all her own, and a beautiful, clear, clean, german tone that we all seem to strive for. What more could you ask for?

I saw her perform Mozart's clarinet quintet with the tokyo string quartet last Januery. The performance was unparalled. There was not one squeake, crack, or flaw in the technique, the interpratation was very fresh and new, and the exitment and spontaneity was never lost, even in the most carefully planed out passages.

This CD of Weber's clarinet works is absolutly definitive. These peices are performed so often nowadays that it is hard to give an original interpretation. Most recent recordings sound dry, over practiced, and cautious to the point where one recording sounds hardly different from the next.

The case is quite the contrary with this recording. Ms. Meyer makes each one of these warhorses sound so fresh and vital. The fast movements are played with much flare, drama, and enthusiasm. She tends to rush the ends passages before an orchestral tutti, but the effect just adds to the exicitment, you get the feeling of listening in a live performance. After all, there is nothing in the music that says not to rush, and each one is entitled to his own interpretation. In the slower movments she takes time to showcase her silvery tone and lyrical playing. The second movment of the the second concerto is *sung* as if it were from one of Weber's operas.

This recording belongs in every music lover's library. Very rarely do you hear a soloist play on the level of Ms. Meyer.

Just okay.......2006-05-28

While her technical proficiency is obvious, I don't enjoy the rampant rushing involved on almost every track of this cd. Overall, I will allow my students to listen to this cd once for an idea of the piece, but I would never allow them to study this recording in depth.

Meyer's Recordings are the Best!.......2006-03-13

I am a clarinet student at the CSULB College of the Arts and was referred to this recording by my private clarinet instructor. Meyer's interpretation and execution of the Weber Clarinet Concertos, Concertinos and Quintet are, by far, the most musical and advanced performances I have ever heard. Meyer's sheer technique is something to marvel at. Although she plays in the German school and performs on a German set-up, it gives those who plan to perform this piece a fabulous rendition to emulate. I couldn't be happier with this purchase, and though it is one of the more expensive recordings of the Weber Concertos, it is worth EVERY PENNY. An invaluable addition to any musical recording library.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic compilation
Stravinsky sorprendente
Wonderful - Especially The Violin Concerto!
A Great Compilation for Stravinsky Music!

Stravinsky: Symphonies and Concertos

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000041AF
Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

Symphony In C: Moderato alla breve - Tempo agitato senza troppo accelerare - Tempo I
Symphony In C: Larghetto concertante
Symphony In C: Allegretto - meno mosso - Tempo I - Piu mosso - Tempo I
Symphony In C: Largo - Tempo giusto, alla breve - Poco meno mosso
Symphony in Three Movements: Allegro
Symphony in Three Movements: Andante - Interlude (L'istesso tempo)
Symphony in Three Movements: Con moto
Symphonies for Wind Instruments

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D: Toccata
Violin Concerto In D: Aria
Violin Concerto In D: Aria
Violin Concerto In D: Capriccio
Ebony Concerto: Allegro moderato
Ebony Concerto: Andante
Ebony Concerto: Moderato
Symphony Of Psalms: Exaudi orationem mea, Domine
Symphony Of Psalms: Expectans expectavi Dominum
Symphony Of Psalms: Alleluia, laudate Dominum

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic compilation.......2006-04-17

You won't be disappointed in this compilation ....all great
choices in the selection of numbers, although the highlight
does seem to be "Violin Concerto".

In terms of sound, it's also very clear, very well recorded,
and there's a balanced selection of moods on these 2 CD.

Stravinsky sorprendente.......2004-12-03

Que Stravinsky nos sorprenda no es algo nuevo, fue y sera para siempre un compositor innovador y sorprendente, pero al oir estas obras sabra que habia mas sorpresas en la cabeza del compositor ruso.
Comienza la audicion y nos encontramos con una sinfonia postmodernista en la linea clasica, brillante, genial; continua en esta linea la sinfonia en tres movimientos que es una obra extraordinaria, poco compleja para el genio rusa pero encantadora.
Sir Colin Davis se hace cargo de estas obras y al igual que como lo hace con Sibelius nos demuestra su versatilidad y manejo de la obrea sinfonica de cualquier autor.
Edo de Waart junto al conjunto de instrumentos de viento de Holanda se encarga de dos bellezas musicales de estructura casi camaresca son bellisimos, simples y originales.
Aparece ahora una genialidad, un concierto para violin cercano a Bartok si se quiere, solo para aproximarlo, grandioso, innovador, genial en la soberbia interpretacion del afamado Arthur Grumiax. Para este solista nada mejor que la orquesta del concertgebouw (de recio sonido)dirigidos por el prolijo Ernest Bour.
Finalizamos esta sorprendente coleccion con la Sinfonia de los Salmos, que es casi un oratorio,partes que podrian ser los tiempos de una sinfonia pero que, se acercan mas a momentos de una liturgia, son bellos simples, exultantes de luminosidad y reflexion. Igor Markevitch el director ruso de tomo y lomo, se une a la sinfonica de Rusia, a coros masculinos y otros solistas para entregarnos esta version generosa e impactante.

Wonderful - Especially The Violin Concerto!.......2004-05-28

This set is worth its modest price just to have Grumiaux in the Violin Concerto, with Ernest Bour and the Concertgebouw providing a virtual x-ray of this marvelous score. Grumiaux provides an object lesson for other violinists in how to combine extraordinarily crisp rhythm with soaring lyricism. Bour demonstrates once again how he was one of the 20th Century's most eloquent advocates of modern music. This is far and away the finest current reading - it very nearly eclipses my benchmark for this piece: Samuel Dushkin with the composer conducting in a 1935 Paris recording on DG.

A wonderful bonus is Markevitch performing the Symphony of Psalms. What a stunning reading! And such a glorious chorus! I actually prefer this reading to Stravinsky's own stereo account, and it comes close to the sheer ecstacy of the composer's antique 1931 recording.

Colin Davis is not one of my favorites, but I have to say he delivers crisp, no-nonsense accounts in both the Sym. in C and the Sym. in 3 Movements. Here, though, I still prefer the composer's various accounts in each work. Finally, the virtuoso Netherlands Wind Ensemble provides the best played versions of the Symphonies for Wind Instruments and the Ebony concerto I have had the pleasure of hearing. Once again, I marginally prefer the composer's mono accounts here: his version of the former was slower and more mysterious, and in the latter he had Woody Herman & Co. in full swing. But neither was as expertly played as these Dutch readings - and the sound here is simply terrific.

This CD set is a wonderful introduction to the kaleidoscopic variety of Stravinsky's music. Be sure to hear that Violin Concerto - it's one of the great performances of ANY concerto.

A Great Compilation for Stravinsky Music!.......2000-05-18

I have to say that I'm not the biggest Stravinsky fan and in fact I have something of a dislike for a lot of 20th Century music if you even call some of the 20th Century works music. So, why did I buy this CD? I'll get to that in a second. You see, I have only truly cared for one of Stravinsky's masterpieces and that was his Symphony of Psalms.

The Symphony of Psalms has always appealed to me for some reason or another and I can never quite put my finger on exactly what that one thing or another is. Perhaps it's the haunting melody that begins the piece in "Exaudi orationem meam" due to its sort of sensation of being forced along at a tempo that never rests and only builds. Then again, perhaps its the amazing "Expectans expectavi Dominum" with it's constant fading in and out of the main melody and constant evolution on throughout the end. There is also a section in "Laudate Dominum" which sounds as if it belonged in a horror movie scene due to the chant which the choir sings and the pianos accompany. What ever the reason there was something about this piece and this piece alone that I simply clingged on to.

So, why buy this CD? More importantly why even dare buy anything but just that piece of music and that piece of music alone. Well, I thought that I might as well, get this CD even though I knew, I just knew, I would dread all the other pieces on it. I just knew that I'd regret that I couldnt just buy the sections of the 2CD set that contained the Symphony of Psalms tracks. I just knew it.

To my surprise, I was dead wrong about this. I was so wrong in fact that when listening to the music you cant help but to feel as if it's slapping you for even doubting it's ability to entertain you and prove it's worthiness. I actually found myself listening to Stravinsky's Symphony in C and his Symphony in Three Movements along with his Violin Concerto in D and even listened to his Ebony Concerto. More surprising then that is that I actually enjoyed listening to them. I think it almost felt unbelievable even to myself that I was repeating a few of the tracks over and listening to them again and again. My only one that I didnt care for was his Symphonies for Wind Instruments which may simply require a hardcore Stravinsky fan to get into. These Symphonies before the Psalms pieces on the 2CD set were such fulfilling appetizers that when the "main course" so to speak came along I was just so captivated by this CD set that I almost didnt need to hear the choir pieces to know I had struck gold with this Stravinsky compilation. Incredible job by all conductors and their orchestra's from the always magnificent Sir Colin Davis to Igor Markevitch. Great CD that all Stravinsky hard cores simply must buy.

Johann & Carl Stamitz: Clarinet Concertos
Average customer rating:

Simply AMAZING!!!

Nothing short of amazing

What an outstanding record!

Johann & Carl Stamitz: Clarinet Concertos

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Carl Stamitz | Stamitz, Carl | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Johann Wenzel Stamitz | Stamitz, Johann Wenzel | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Carl Stamitz: Clarinet Concertos, Vol. II

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Concertino; Clarinet Quintet

Sabine Meyer - A Night at the Opera

Great Recordings Of The Century - Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, Sinfonia Concertante / Meyer, Vonk

Mozart: Concerto for clarinet in A; Debussy: Première Rhapsodie

ASIN: B000002RTJ
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

Cl Con No.3 in B flat: I. Allegro moderato
Cl Con No.3 in B flat: II. Romanze
Cl Con No.3 in B flat: III. Rondo
Cl Con No.11 in E flat: I. Allegro
Cl Con No.11 in E flat: II. Aria (Andante Moderato)
Cl Con No.11 in E flat: III. Rondo alla Scherzo (Allegro moderato)
Cl Con in B flat: I. Allegro moderato
Cl Con in B flat: II. Adagio
Cl Con in B flat: III. Poco presto
Cl Con No.10 in B flat: I. [Allegro]
Cl Con No.10 in B flat: II. [Andante sostenuto]
Cl Con No.10 in B flat: III. [Rondo (Poco allegro)]

Customer Reviews:

Simply AMAZING!!!.......2004-11-08

If Carl and Johann Stamitz were alive, they wouldn't believe how flawless and beautiful Sabine Meyer has played their songs in this CD. Concerto No.3 is just simply charming, with her own alterations and add-ins to make the original song, giving it an amusing and snazzy feel.

I have been playing clarinet for 4 years now, and currently I am working on all three of the movements in Concerto No.3. My clarinet teacher gave this CD a while back and I absolutely love it. There is nothing wrong with the song, but because Meyer adds many little tidbits of her own, it doesn't correspond in many places to the original score, making following along the music challenging. My clarinet teacher did say that she did overdo the added stuff to the music, and i always regarded it as her sticking her tounge out at the composers =P If you compare the original score with her score, you will definately enjoy hers much more.

As I continue to work on C no3, I may even decide myself to add some of what she has changed into my own score.

The Stamitzes would be proud of her recording, and if you buy this cd i garentee you will enjoy it and hopefully give it a wonderful review as I and the other two reviewers have done !

Nothing short of amazing.......2003-04-29

This is a must have album for any clarinetist or any music lover. What Sabine Meyer does with Stamitz is nothing short of amazing. She puts to shame anyone who attempts to play the Third Concerto. The others are equally as astounding. I highly recommend this one!

What an outstanding record!.......2001-04-05

This record proves that Sabine Meyer must be considered to be among the world's top clarinetists. Her performance on this new release of Clarinet Concertos by Johann and Carl Stamitz is simply amazing. Not only is her technique flawless, her sensible interpretation makes you feel the joy and sentimentality with which this music was composed and thought to be performed: Just listen to the second movement of Concerto No. 3 by Carl Stamitz and you will see what I mean. There can be no doubt that this CD is an absolute highlight in my collection and one of the real great recordings of this year!

Average customer rating:

very pleasant
Great music, great value!

Spohr: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 3

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Spohr: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 2 and 4; Fantasia and Variations, Op. 81
Stamitz: Clarinet Concertos, Vol. 1
Stamitz:Clarinet Concertos Vol. 2
Crussell: Clarinet Concertos
Krommer: Clarinet Concertos Opp. 35, 36 & 91

ASIN: B0000013WD
Release Date: 1995-03-21

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In C Minor, Op.26: Adagio - Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In C Minor, Op.26: Adagio
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In C Minor, Op.26: Rondo: Vivace
Clarinet Concerto No. 3 In F Minor: Allegro moderato
Clarinet Concerto No.3 In F Minor: Adagio
Clarinet Concerto No.3 In F Minor: Vivace non troppo
Potpourri For Clarinet And Orchestra In F Major, Op. 80: Larghetto
Potpourri For Clarinet And Orchestra In F Major, Op. 80: Allegro - Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

very pleasant.......2005-10-19

These are well-played versions of these well-crafted works. The playing and recording quality are good. This composer wrote high quality music and these pieces are certainly representative. I would not describe this as an essential CD however. This stuff has a strong similarity to many other contemporaneous music. Probably most recommendable to those with a strong interest in Spohr or clarinet.

Great music, great value!.......2001-10-03

This is a nice recording. Very engaging music, well played, well recorded. If you like the clarinet, you'll like this CD. For the price, it's a great buy.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Music and Excellent Performance

Double Piano Concertos

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bruch: Piano Quintet/String Quintet/Octet
Bruch: The Complete Symphonies
Mozart: Concerto for Two Pianos; Sonata for Two Pianos, K448
Bruch: Works for Clarinet & Viola
Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos

ASIN: B00000IYMW
Release Date: 1999-10-12

Tracks:

Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, K. 365 in E flat Major: I. Allegro
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, K. 365 in E flat Major: II. Andante
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, K. 365 in E flat Major: III. Rondeau:Allgero
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, Op.88a in A flat Minor: I. Andante Sostenuto
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, Op.88a in A flat Minor: II. Andante con Moto - Allegro molto vivace
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, Op.88a in A flat Minor: III. Adagio ma non troppo
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, Op.88a in A flat Minor: IV. Andante - Allegro
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, in E Major: I. Adagio - Vivace
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, in E Major: II. Adagio non Troppo
Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra, in E Major: III. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Music and Excellent Performance.......2002-01-26

I play this CD almost every day while I am working, driving...

Average customer rating:

Four great pieces!
A must for Tower fans!

Joan Tower: Concertos

Manufacturer: D'note Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Joan Tower: Instrumental Music
Tower: Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman
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Black Topaz - Joan Tower
William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony; In Memoriam; Africa (Symphonic Poem)

ASIN: B000003YNK
Release Date: 1997-03-11

Tracks:

Violin Concerto
Flute Concerto
Piano Concerto
Clarinet Concerto

Customer Reviews:

Four great pieces!.......2006-06-24

Although I have a hard time sometimes with Joan Tower's knotty, uncompromising chamber music, these four concertos are very, very enjoyable - without any dumbing down at all. The Violin Concerto is especially wonderful - convincing, concise, rhythmically exciting, melodically and harmonically arresting and orchestrationally vivid. This is a modern violin concerto that can hold its own right up there with Barber, Shostakovich and Stravinsky.
The other concertos likewise also combine music of great concision, drive and drama with moments of great serenity, beautifully drawn-out melodies and delicate construction. The result is music that grabs the ear of the listener the first time around and every susequent time.

A must for Tower fans!.......2004-05-23

This is a great collection of four concertos by a star from the late 20th century, Joan Tower. Tower over time has developed a very unique language. The sound is a modern one (only one of these pieces is pushing 20 years old at the time of this writing), but is very warm and lyrical. Rythmically, Tower's pieces are very active. They seem to surge forward with energy, even in the slow sections. Her forms are sometimes episodic, but they serve the intent of the music. The oldest piece is the Piano Concerto which was premiered in 1985. Although I prefer Paul Barnes' recording because of the clarity in the cadenzas, Usula Oppens does a good job with this extremely difficult part. This concerto will tell you everything you need to know about Tower's style. Another one of my favorite concertos on this disc is also the most recent one, the Violin Concerto. Tower does a great job of blending virtuosic "fireworks" with moments of serenity and intimate beauty. Elmar Oliveira really nails the part as well. The orchestral accompaniments are not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but the Louisville orchestra is up to the challenge, especially in the Clarinet Concerto. I heartily recommend this disc to both established fans and newcomers.

Mozart: Horn Concertos 1-4; Quintet K 452

Average customer rating:

It doesn't get any better!
A sweet-sounding remastering of these classics

Mozart: Horn Concertos 1-4; Quintet K 452

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Horn Concertos
Brain
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Vol. 2 [Germany]
Strauss: Don Quixote; Schumann: Cello Concerto / Rostropovich, Karajan, et al
Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter

ASIN: B000BPN24U
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Tracks:

Allegro
Rondo (Allegro) (K514, Arr. Submayr)
Allegro Maestoso
Andante
Rondo
Allegro
Romance (Largehtto)
Allegro
Allegro Moderato
Romance (Andante)
Rondo (Allegro Vivace)
Largo-Allegro Moderato - Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble
Larghetto - Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble
Rondo (Allegro) - Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble

Customer Reviews:

It doesn't get any better!.......2007-06-02

This recording is over 50 years, but Dennis Brain's performance is still the benchmark for Mozart's horn concertos. Brain was the complete master of a very difficult instrument. Pure magic!

A sweet-sounding remastering of these classics.......2006-09-02

Dennis Brain's universaly acclaimed Mozart horn concertos haven't been out of hte catalog for fifty years, but for the longest while the 1953 sonics were boxy and cramped. So it's good news that in this remastering Paul Baily has amde the orchestra and soloist sound sweet, even if the boxiness still remains. Brain's playing is uniquely supple and lyrical; future horn players like Barry Tuckwell brought more fire into their playing.

The Quintet for Piano and Winds K. 452 is also a fine performance. It dates from 1954. the only caveat is ot to mistake this reading, with Colin Horsley as the (very good) pianist, for another EMI recording, also with Dennis Brain on horn but with Walter gieseking as pianist. He was, of course, much more famous than Horsley, but the present recording is livelier in the first movement, where gieseking preferred the more usual slower tempo.

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