Carl Maria von Weber: Clarinet Quintet/Grand Duo/7 Variations

On this CD:

1. Quintet for clarinet & strings in B flat major, Op. 34 (J. 182)
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by Roger Bigley, Ronald Birks, Peter Cropper, Bernard Gregor-Smith, Janet Hilton, Lindsay String Quartet

2. Grand duo concertante in B flat major for clarinet & piano, Op. 48 (J204)
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by Janet Hilton, Lindsay String Quartet, Keith Swallow

3. Variations (7) from Silvana for clarinet & piano, Op. 33 (J128)
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by Janet Hilton, Lindsay String Quartet, Keith Swallow

Tracks:

Clarinet Quintet In B Flat Major, Op. 34 (J. 182): Allegro
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat Major, Op. 34 (J. 182): Fantasia: Adagio ma non troppo
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat Major, Op. 34 (J. 182): Menuetto: Capriccio Presto
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat Major, Op. 34 (J. 182): Rondo: Allegro giocoso
Introduction, Theme and Variations for Clarinet And String Quartet, Op.posth.
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48 (J. 204): Allegro con fuoco
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48 (J. 204): Andante con moto
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48 (J. 204): Rondo: Allegro
Seven Variations On ATheme From Silvana For Clarinet And Piano In B Flat Major, Op.33 (J. 128)

Customer Reviews:

can be missed.......2005-08-16

The compostitions are pleasant enough and the playing is lively. I would agree with Mr. Hite that the reverb is excessive and would go farther and state that it spoils the whole thing.

Only one complaint..........2004-07-30

I'll get the bad stuff over with quick... the only problem I have with this CD is that there is occassionally too much reverb, and the clarity suffers. This aside, the recording is very nice.

Berkes absolutely flies on the quintet (I can't help but wonder if the last movement hasn't been sped up!). In the Silvana Variations (which can be a bit boring as written) he makes some embellishments, particularly in the slower variation, that really spice it up.

Berkes is an excellent player (I have many of his CDs and have always been impressed). For the price, this CD is a great deal. Plus, the Intro, Theme and Variations w/ String Quartet and the Silvana Variations aren't too common on recordings, so this CD is a valuable addition to your CD collection. Go for it!

Kalman Berkes is on fire!.......2001-04-14

The works on this CD are flashy, not deep. Fun, not contemplative. Weber's works are a pillar in the repertoir for virtuoso clarinet, and "virtuoso" is the word that leaps to mind upon hearing these renditions.

Berkes simply flies over the technical passages with a grace that is astounding. His articulation at high tempi is remarkable. The moderate, playful sections are imbued with humor and charm. The slow sections - while not really the point of Weber's music for clarinet - are played with pleasing warmth.

It's interesting to listen to the tone that Berkes produces. One of the finest Hungarian clarinetists, his sound is not quite as rustic as some of the Eastern European traditions. It's also not as supple as some of the traditional clarinet styles from Western nations. His sound is, while not "mainstream" in an international sence, very pleasing and utterly flawles in its consistency. But this is merely a footnote for clarinetists as the quality of Berkes' tone production is of the highest standard, making nationalistic style irrelevant to all but a few snobs.

The Auer Quartet and Naxos' own piano workhorse, Jeno Jando, are in excellent form. They strike a perfect balance between accompanying and playing out when called for. The feelings and interpretations between Berkes and the ensemble are of one mind.

Recording balance between clarinet and ensemble is likewise excellent. The overal sound has ample presence, though something is just a bit off in terms of clarity and transparency.

Tracks:

Qnt in B flat Op.34 (J.182): I. Allegro - JANET HILTON/LINDSAY STR QT
Qnt in B flat Op.34 (J.182): II. Fantasia. Adagio ma non troppo - JANET HILTON/LINDSAY STR QT
Qnt in B flat Op.34 (J.182): III. Menuetto. Capriccio presto - Trio - JANET HILTON/LINDSAY STR QT
Qnt in B flat Op.34 (J.182): IV. Rondo. Allegro giocoso - JANET HILTON/LINDSAY STR QT
Grand Duo Concertant Op.48 (J.204): I. Allegro con fuoco - JANET HILTON/KEITH SWALLOW
Grand Duo Concertant Op.48 (J.204): II. Andante con moto - JANET HILTON/KEITH SWALLOW
Grand Duo Concertant Op.48 (J.204): III. Rondo. Allegro - JANET HILTON/KEITH SWALLOW
7 Vars on a theme from Silvana Op.33 (J.128) - JANET HILTON/KEITH SWALLOW

The Complete Clarinet Music, vol 1 - Carl Maria von Weber / Manasse

Average customer rating:

The Complete Clarinet Music, vol 1 - Carl Maria von Weber / Manasse

Manufacturer: Xlnt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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John Manasse plays 3 Clarinet Concertos
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ASIN: B000009ITU
Release Date: 1989-04-01

Tracks:

,2,3,4. Quintet for Clarinet & Strings, Op. 34 - 5,6,7. Grand

Album Description

The first in a 2-disc CD set of all of Carl Maria von Weber's music featuring the clarinet, as performed by the brilliant young American artist Jon Manasse,

Average customer rating:

Disappointing

Chamber Music of Carl Maria von Weber

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000070G
Release Date: 2002-01-08

Tracks:

Quintet For Clarinet & Strings, Op. 34: Allegro
Quintet For Clarinet & Strings, Op. 34: Fantasia (Adagio ma non troppo)
Quintet For Clarinet & Strings, Op. 34: Menuetto (Capriccio presto)
Quintet For Clarinet & Strings, Op. 34: Rondo (Allegro giocoso)
Grand Duo Concertant, Op. 48: Allegro con fuoco
Grand Duo Concertant, Op. 48: Andante Con Moto
Grand Duo Concertant, Op. 48: Rondo (Allegro)
Seven Variations, Op. 33
Introduction, Theme & Variations, Op. Posth.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2002-05-08

This CD fell a bit short of my initial expectations, and countless listenings later it is still disappointing, especially considering the talent of the soloist. Mr. Shifrin, an A-level musician, only manages a "B" performance here. It isn't by any means a bad recording, but it could have been better.

Shifrin is perhaps best known for his velvety warm tone and bel canto, singing style of playing, but I actually found those to be the weak points of this particular recording. His usual warm tone is colder and more "brittle" sounding than usual, and his intonation is borderline off or just plain off at times. The interpretations aren't anything notable or memorable, either. In particular, he seems to plow straight through the Allegro and Rondo Allegro movements of the Grand Duo Concertant.

Tracks:

Gran Quintetto, Op.34: Allegro
Gran Quintetto, Op.34: Fant. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Gran Quintetto, Op.34: Menuetto Capriccio. Presto
Gran Quintetto, Op.34: Rondo. Allegro Gioccoso
Intro, Theme At Vars, Op. Posth.
Grand Duo Concertant, Op.48: Allegro Con Fuoco
Grand Duo Concertant, Op.48: Andante Con Moto
Grand Duo Concertant, Op.48: Rondo. Allegro
Vars, Op.33

Weber & Reger: Complete Works for Clarinet

Average customer rating:

Finished playing, uninspired musicianship
von weber german master

Weber & Reger: Complete Works for Clarinet

Manufacturer: Camerata
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
ASIN: B00000JD89
Release Date: 1999-06-29

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor Op. 73: I. Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor Op. 73: II. Adagio ma non troppo
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor Op. 73: III. Allegretto
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major Op. 74: I. Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major Op. 74: II. Andante con moto
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major Op. 74: III. Alla polacca
Concertino Op. 26 For Clarinet And Orchestra: I. Adagio ma non troppo
Concertino Op. 26 For Clarinet And Orchestra: II. Andante
Concertino Op. 26 For Clarinet And Orchestra: III. Allegro
Divertimento For Clarinet And Orchestra

Tracks:

Clarinet Quintet In B Flat Major Op. 34: I. Allegro
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat Major Op. 34: II. Fantasia; Adagio
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat Major Op. 34: III. Menuetto
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat Major Op. 34: IV. Rondo; Allegro
Grand Duo Concertant Op. 48: I. Allegro con fuoco
Grand Duo Concertant Op. 48: II. Andante con moto
Grand Duo Concertant Op. 48: III. Rondo; Allegro
Variations On A Theme From 'Silvana' Op. 33

Tracks:

Clarinet Sonata No. 1 In A Flat Major Op. 49-1: I. Allegro affanato
Clarinet Sonata No. 1 In A Flat Major Op. 49-1: II. Vivace
Clarinet Sonata No. 1 In A Flat Major Op. 49-1: III. Larghetto ma non troppo, un poco con moto
Clarinet Sonata No. 1 In A Flat Major Op. 49-1: IV. Prestissimo assai
Clarinet Sonata No. 2 In F Sharp Minor Op. 49-2: I. Allegro dolento
Clarinet Sonata No. 2 In F Sharp Minor Op. 49-2: II. Vivacissimo
Clarinet Sonata No. 2 In F Sharp Minor Op. 49-2: III. Larghetto un poco con moto
Clarinet Sonata No. 2 In F Sharp Minor Op. 49-2: IV. Allegro affabile con moto
Albumblatt For Clarinet And Piano
Tarantella For Clarinet And Piano

Tracks:

Clarinet Sonata No. 3 In B Flat Major Op. 107: I. Moderato
Clarinet Sonata No. 3 In B Flat Major Op. 107: II. Vivace-Adagio-Vivace
Clarinet Sonata No. 3 In B Flat Major Op. 107: III. Adagio
Clarinet Sonata No. 3 In B Flat Major Op. 107: IV. Allegretto con grazia
Clarinet Quintet In A Major Op. 146: I. Moderato ed amabile
Clarinet Quintet In A Major Op. 146: II. Vivace
Clarinet Quintet In A Major Op. 146: III. Largo
Clarinet Quintet In A Major Op. 146: IV. Poco Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

Finished playing, uninspired musicianship.......2001-07-16

Whenever I listen to Karl Leister, I wonder how an instrumentalist with such flawless technical mastery can have so little to say musically. His tone is pleasing, his intonation and technique are accurate -- and his interpretations are uninspired.

If you only seek a clear rendition of the music, this recording will suffice. However, if you believe that these works require expressive treatment, look elsewhere.

von weber german master.......2001-01-24

carl von weber is one of the best german composers that ever lived he is as good as mozart or bach but this composer has fallen into obscurity and i do not know why this recording is powerful and passionate

Tracks:

Con No.1 in f, Op.73: Allegro - James Campbell
Con No.1 in f, Op.73: Adagio Ma Non Troppo - James Campbell
Con No.1 in f, Op.73: Rondo (Allegretto) - James Campbell
Grand Duo Concertant, Op.48: Allegro Con Fuoco - James Campbell/Leonard Hokanson
Grand Duo Concertant, Op.48: Andante Con Moto - James Campbell/Leonard Hokanson
Grand Duo Concertant, Op.48: Allegro Rondo - James Campbell/Leonard Hokanson
Seven Vars in E flat, Op.33 - James Campbell/Leonard Hokanson
Qt in E flat, Op.23: Allegro Non Troppo - James Campbell
Qt in E flat, Op.23: Adagio - James Campbell
Qt in E flat, Op.23: Allegro - James Campbell