“… an energised and energising work, well worth exploring”

“Van de Wiel gives superb performances, that of the Mozart a live one. The clarinet concerto by Phibbs was composed for him, and he makes a magnificent case for it. It’s felicitously written, the language not far from traditionally tonal, the stylistic range considerable”

 “The opening bars of the Mozart (placed second) tell that Mike Hatch’s engineering is top-notch, the orchestral sound clear and airy, and if Mark van de Wiel’s basset clarinet is perhaps a shade too forward in the balance, his playing is consistently shapely and mellifluous. In short, this is a very fine account of a perennial favourite, with tempos always well-chosen for articulate and bouncy music-making, the soloist enjoying a meaningful relationship with the London Chamber Orchestra and Christopher Warren-Green, searching the music when required … Phibbs (born 1974), writing especially for van de Wiel, has created a four-movement work of considerable appeal… Once again Warren-Green conducts with attention to detail (he is a former concertmaster of the Philharmonia Orchestra) and van de Wiel’s colleagues offer complete support to the unflagging clarinettist, Hatch again capturing the distinction of the music and this performance.” ****