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BENJAMIN BRITTEN
(1913-1976)
Movements for a Clarinet Concerto (1941-42)
19:20
for Clarinet and Orchestra
Devised and orchestrated 2007 by Colin Matthews (b. 1946)
Intended for Benny Goodman
1.
1
Molto allegro - Tranquillo - Tempo I - Tranquillo -
5:47
2.
2
Mazura elegiaca (derived from Op. 23 No. 2 for two pianos).
8:12
Poco lento - Animato appassionato - Tempo I - Solenne -
3.
3
Finale. Allegro - Più mosso - Poco più sostenuto -
5:15
GERALD FINZI
(1901-1956)
Five Bagatelles, Op. 23a (1938-43)
15:33
Arranged 1989 for clarinet and string orchestra by Lawrence Ashmore (1928-2013)
from the original version for clarinet and piano, Op. 23
4.
1
Prelude. Allegro deciso - Poco meno mosso - Tempo I
3:30
5.
II
Romance. Andante tranquillo - Poco più mosso -
4:57
6.
III
Carol. Andantino semplice
2:00
7.
IV
Forlana. Allegretto grazioso
2:51
8.
V
Fughetta. Allegro vivace
2:02
ARNOLD COOKE
(1906-2005)
Concerto No. 1 (1955)
28:08
for Clarinet and String Orchestra
in Three Movements
To William Morrison
9.
I
Allegro - Cadenza - A Tempo
11:58
10.
II
Lento - Poco più mosso - Tempo I
10:37
11.
III
Allegro vivace - Poco meno mosso - Tempo I
5:26
WILLIAM MATHIAS
(1934-1992)
Clarinet Concerto, Op. 68 (1975)
19:40
To Gervase de Peyer
12.
I
Allegro - vivo - Poco meno mosso - Tempo I (Allegro
7:20
vivo) - Meno mosso - Ancor meno mosso - Calando al fine
13.
II
Lento espressivo - Poco meno mosso - Quasi cadenza -
7:38
Solo:Alex Neal Percussion
14.
III
Allegro molto vivace
4:38
Total time: 83:00
Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra
5 and 6 January 2012 (Finzi)
9 and 10 July 2015 (other works)
Notes
This second volume of British Clarinet Concertos follows ‘a stunning recording’ made a Critic’s Choice of the Year in Gramophone (2013). Here again, the exclusive Chandos artist Michael Collins combines the role of soloist with that of conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The two three-movement concertos included in this album are fine examples of their respective composers’ work. While Arnold Cooke’s Concerto makes the most of the solo instrument’s wide-ranging lyricism, the Concerto with strings and percussion by William Mathias is a virtuoso piece for the instrument, which exploits its capacity for fluent runs and incisive attacks and its affinities with jazz.
The programme is completed by two arrangements, though of different kinds. Benjamin Britten’s Movements for a Clarinet Concerto is the surviving sketch for the opening movement of a concerto which Britten started writing in 1941 for the great American jazz clarinettist Benny Goodman. Gerald Finzi’s Five Bagatelles is a set of short pieces written as a companion piece to Finzi’s well-known Clarinet Concerto - featured on volume 1 [CHAN 10739].
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Reviews
"...throughout the disc, contrasts are beautifully laid out by Collins and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and his playing is virtuosic and deeply thoughtful. Recording quality from both locations is first-class, with ideal and realistic balance between clarinet and orchestra. This is an excellent release, encouraging much repeated listening."
Peter Joelson - ClassicalSource.com - May 2016
“... An inventively packed programme – all 83 minutes of it – enthusiastically recommended.”
Mark Pullinger Gramophone magazine April 2016
"...Michael Collins’s playing in these four concertos is revelatory: he equals his acknowledged triumph in Volume 1. This is reflected in the ideal sound quality of the recording on a disc which, incidentally, runs to 83 minutes. I look forward to volumes 3, 4, 5 and more in this exciting and essential series of British Clarinet Music."
John France - MusicWeb-International.com - 7 April 2016
"... Collins’ wonderfully supple and fluent performance of 1955’s First Clarinet Concerto shows. Cooke’s orchestral writing was also highly accomplished. It makes a good foil for the Mathias Concerto, which is equally deft, albeit more spiky and acerbic " ****
Andrew Clements - The Guardian - 26 February 2016
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