Crusell: The Clarinet Concertos

On this CD:

1. Concerto for clarinet & orchestra No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 1
Composed by Bernhard Henrik Crusell
Performed by Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with Antony Pay

2. Concerto for clarinet & orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 5
Composed by Bernhard Henrik Crusell
Performed by Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with Antony Pay

3. Concerto for clarinet & orchestra No. 3 in B flat major, Op. 11
Composed by Bernhard Henrik Crusell
Performed by Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with Antony Pay

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 1: Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 1: Adagio
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 1: Rondo: Allegretto
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F-minor, Op. 5: Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F-minor, Op. 5: Andante pastorale
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F-minor, Op. 5: Rondo: Allegreto
Clarinet Concerto No. 3 in B-flat major, Op. 11: Allegro Risoluto
Clarinet Concerto No. 3 in B-flat major, Op. 11: Andante moderato
Clarinet Concerto No. 3 in B-flat major, Op. 11: Alla polacca

Customer Reviews:

Liquid and lively Crusell.......2003-11-29

A lesser-known composer from Napoleonic Era Sweden, Bernhard Henrik Crusell was born in what was then Swedish Finland in 1775. Like Carl Nielsen a century later, Crusell's first exposure to music was as a wind instrumentalist in a military band. He later studied in Berlin under the great German clarinet virtuoso and minor composer Franz Tausch, and went on to study in Revolutionary Paris with Gossec. As composer, bandmaster, and clarinettist in the relative cultural backwater of Stockholm until his death in 1838, Crusell was often forced to write his own music (including a few operas) and, as a man of wide culture and skilled linguist, translated German and Italian librettos into Swedish.

Crusell's three sparkling, champagne-popping clarinet concertos are his only compositions still in repertoire. If you're familiar with Tausch's clarinet concertos, that's definitely the best comparison. The orchestral parts also vaguely reminded me of sections from Beethoven and Mozart's piano concertos and obviously Weber's works for clarinet (frankly, though, Crusell's concertos have more substance). Crusell himself always said that the F minor concerto (1815) was his best and proudly dedicated it to the Tsar of Russia.

Lively, liquid and buoyant. The Uppsala Chamber Orchestra is a smaller orchestra, so the strings, bass, brass, and woodwinds don't swamp the soloist or sound top-heavy. There's even a nice quasi-period-instrument feel in some places. Get it. Five stars.

A good get to know Crusell C.D........2001-10-29

This recording is a good one if you are just getting acquainted with Crusell. It is inexpensive and good quality. These are not very well known concertos, they are neat, but not the best. Give them a chance though. This is a fairly decent recording with an average player.

Spirited Music, Fine Performances.......2001-10-27

Bernhard Crusell's clarinet concertos are very much in the Weber vein, bright and frisky outer movements framing slow movements with a pre-Romantic sensibility. You won't find the Wolf Glen here, as you will in Weber's First Concerto, but instead gently beguiling songs without words that also have a patrician dignity about them. Crusell, a largely self-taught musician, injected his own personality while following his celebrated models to produce three justly popular works.

While I wish I could compare the performances of Per Billman with those of his strongest competition, Emma Thompson, I can't. Or rather, I can't fully, having heard only one of Ms. Thompson's performances on the radio quite a while ago. But I can say that Billman produces a liquid tone in those slow movements and has just the right sensibility for them, mixing classical poise with Romantic yearning. And his athletic turns in the outer movements are marked by an easy virtuosity that is masterful.

Twenty or thirty years ago, this music might have been recorded by a large orchestra, the big string body swamping winds and brass. Here, that is not the case. The Uppsala Chamber Orchestra is recorded with a nice presence--luckily, the soloist not spotlighted--so that the playful woodwind and pungent brass-and-drum interjections are caught with all requisite punch. Conductor Korsten shapes the accompaniment sensitively throughout. At Naxos' price, strongly recommended.

Crusell: The 3 Clarinet Concertos
Average customer rating:

Highly romanticized accounts with exhibitionist playing

Crusell: The 3 Clarinet Concertos

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000030T0
Release Date: 1993-12-17

Tracks:

Concerto No 1 For Clarinet And Orchestra In E Flat Major, Op. 1: First Movement - Allegro
Concerto No 1 For Clarinet And Orchestra In E Flat Major, Op. 1: Second Movement - Adagio
Concerto No 1 For Clarinet And Orchestra In E Flat Major, Op. 1: Third Movement - Rondo (Allegretto)
Concerto No 2 For Clarinet And Orchestra In F Minor, Op. 5: First Movement - Allegro
Concerto No 2 For Clarinet And Orchestra In F Minor, Op. 5: Second Movement - Andante pastorale
Concerto No 2 For Clarinet And Orchestra In F Minor, Op. 5: Third Movement - Rondo
Concerto No 3 For Clarinet And Orchestra In B Flat Major, Op. 11: First Movement - Allegro risoluto
Concerto No 3 For Clarinet And Orchestra In B Flat Major, Op. 11Concerto No 3 For Clarinet And Orchestra In B Flat Major, Op. 11: Second Movement - Andante moderato
Concerto No 3 For Clarinet And Orchestra In B Flat Major, Op. 11Concerto No 3 For Clarinet And Orchestra In B Flat Major, Op. 11: Third Movement - Alla Polacca

Customer Reviews:

Highly romanticized accounts with exhibitionist playing.......2005-12-01

Here are Emma Johnson's recordings of the three clarinet concertos by Henrik Crusell, all recorded with different conductors and at different times throughout the mid-1980s to 1991. Briefly stated, these are romantic conceptions of music by a composer that was essentially Beethoven's peer.

The pearl of this CD is the recording of Crusell's Concerto No. 2 in F minor. Here, Johnson and conductor Charles Groves are of single mind in their pursuit of romance and virtuosity. Indeed, Johnson launches into a lengthy and very individual cadenza in the latter sequence of the first movement I have never before heard in a recording of this music. Groves supports the exhibitionism of the soloist with highly charged orchestral backup where he dots the rhythm with clearly enunciated timpani beats.

A lovely second movement reminiscent of Mozart is followed by the most flexible solo phrasing I have heard in the Rondo that concludes the concerto. This is certainly the most individual recording of this music I have heard and the most romantic, too.

Johnson and conductor Gerard Schwarz follow a similar pattern in the Concerto No. 3. However, Johnson's initial lengthy solo run in the first movement does not have the technique or brilliance of other soloists I've heard in this music including Antony Pay and Per Billman.

Her runs throughout the first movement, while highly romanticized, simply do not represent the high level of technique from competing soloists in this repertoire. Johnson launches into another highly characterized solo sequence during the development section that better shows off her technique.

Schwarz supports Johnson with a high cholesterol accompaniment that makes the music try to sound more like Beethoven than Mozart...until the pair come to the second movement Andante moderato, where this music sounds as is if were written by Mozart. The finale is back to the more romantically inclined interpretation, clearly projecting Crusell as a composer that crossed over from the Classical to Romantic era.

Listeners that enjoy highly charged romantic concertos will be happy with this CD, which is recorded well for its period although some orchestral detail is lost in the larger moments of orchetral tutti. Listeners more attuned to individual techinique or period performance will not find these performances very satisfying.

Of the performances I have heard of this music -- by soloists Thea King, Pay, Billman and Krikku -- I have most enjoyed the work by Pay where he leads the English Chamber Orchestra, the same group that supports Johnson. Pay's view is more classically inclined and he sees Crusell more in tune with early Beethoven. The recordings of the Pay concertos also offer greater clarity in orchestral detail.

Average customer rating:

Crusell: Clarinet Concertos

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000051TOJ
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

Con in B flat, Op.II: I. Allegro Risoluto
Con in B flat, Op.II: II. Andante Moderato
Con in B flat, Op.II: III. Alla Polacca
Con in f, Op.5: I. Allegro
Con in f, Op.5: II. Andante Pastorale
Con in f, Op.5: III. Rondo (Allegretto)
Con in E flat, Op.I: I. Allegro
Con in E flat, Op.I: II. Adagio
Con in E flat, Op.I: III. Rondo (Allegretto)

Average customer rating:

Romantic Clarinet Concertos

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000713BF
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Bernhard Henrik Crusell: Concertos, Op. 1, 3, and 11

Average customer rating:

ENHANCING THE SENSES
Masterful Performances!

Bernhard Henrik Crusell: Concertos, Op. 1, 3, and 11
Steven D. Hartman
Manufacturer: Centaur
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005BI33
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Customer Reviews:

ENHANCING THE SENSES.......2001-07-28

I HEARD THIS MUSIC WHILE DINING AT AN ELEGANT LUNCHEON. THE FOOD TASTED BETTER. THE SOUND OF THE MUSIC WAS SO RELAXING AND SERENE. AT THE CRESCENDO PART I FELT LIKE PICKING UP THE BATON AND CONDUCTING...BRAVO..BRAVO

Masterful Performances!.......2001-05-09

These expansively beautiful works by the relatively unknown Bernhart Crusell have been superbly realized on this CD. It is impossible to fault the engineering, the pace of the performances or the radiant sound of the orchestra. What makes the CD most special, however, is clarinet playing by Steven D. Hartman that serves as a model of aristocratic bearing and lyricism. Mr. Hartman's directness, emotional authority and effortless technique reveal the heart of these concertos by another clarinet virtuoso, whose musical ideas will enrich everyone who comes to know them. You must hear this recording!

Average customer rating:

Crusell: Clarinet Concertos

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0006OR16G
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Average customer rating:

Crusell: Clarinet Concertos

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000002ZU2
Release Date: 1994-03-01

Weber - Spohr - Crusell: Clarinet Concertos / Emma Johnson

Average customer rating:

Weber - Spohr - Crusell: Clarinet Concertos / Emma Johnson

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000030R6
Release Date: 1993-12-16

Tracks:

Con No.2 in E flat, Op.74: First Movt: Allegro
Con No.2 in E flat, Op.74: Second Movt: Andante Con Moto
Con No.2 in E flat, Op.74: Third Movt: Alla Polacca
Cl Con No.1 in c, Op.26: First Movt: Adagio - Allegro
Cl Con No.1 in c, Op.26: Second Movt: Adagio
Cl Con No.1 in c, Op.26: Third Movt: Rondo (Vivace)
Cl Con No.3 in B flat, Op.11: First Movt: Allegro Risoluto
Cl Con No.3 in B flat, Op.11: Second Movt: Andante Moderato
Cl Con No.3 in B flat, Op.11: Third Movt: Alla Polacca

Clarinet Concertos: Crusell, Spohr, Krommer, Koeluh / Johnson 2CD

Average customer rating:

Clarinet Concertos: Crusell, Spohr, Krommer, Koeluh / Johnson 2CD

Manufacturer: Regis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000AMKB4
Release Date: 2003-07-09

Album Description

Bernhard Crussel (1775-1838)
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 1
(recorded with R.P.O./Gunter Herbig)
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 5
(recorded with the E.C.O./Sir Charles Groves)
Clarinet Concerto No. 3 in B flat major, Op. 11
(recorded with the E.C.O./Gerard Schwarz)

Louis Spohr (1784-1859)
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in C minor Op. 26
(recorded with the E.C.O/Gerard Schwarz)

Leopold Koželuh (1747-1818)
Clarinet Concerto in E flat major

Franz Krommer (1759-1831)

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante Pastorale
III. Rondo. Allegretto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Rondo. Allegretto
I. Allegro Risoluto
II. Andante Moderato
III. Alla Pollacca

Customer Reviews:

Masterfully played........2001-10-29

These concertos are not very well know as is the composer. These are probably not the best concertos ever written, but they are worth listening to.
Mr. Leister plays them flawlessly with his great technique and sound. He is truly one of the greatest clarinet players. Though these concertos are not comprable to Mozart, Copland, or even Krommer, listen to them anyway. It'll be worth the while.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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