Colin Lawson, The Parley Of Instruments, Peter Holman - English Classical Clarinet Concertos (English Orpheus 39) (1997)

Tracklist

01. Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F Major: I. Allegro
02. Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F Major: II. The Birks of Endermay. Andante
03. Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F Major: III. The Wanton God. Rondo
04. Duet for Basset Horns No. 4 in B-Flat Major: I. Allegro maestoso
05. Duet for Basset Horns No. 4 in B-Flat Major: II. Romance
06. Concertante in E-Flat Major, W. C41: I. Allegro assai
07. Concertante in E-Flat Major, W. C41: II. Larghetto
08. Concertante in E-Flat Major, W. C41: III. Minuetto
09. Duet for Basset Horns No. 1 in F Major: I. Allegro moderato
10. Duet for Basset Horns No. 1 in F Major: II. Minuetto. Grazioso
11. Clarinet Concerto in E-Flat Major: I. Allegro
12. Clarinet Concerto in E-Flat Major: II. Adagio
13. Clarinet Concerto in E-Flat Major: III. Rondo. Allegretto

The clarinet began life as a poor relation to the oboe and flute. Players usually doubled roles, and it was not until the 1770s, nearly eighty years after the instrument's invention, that any significant dedicated repertory developed.

The concertos on this recording show the extent to which native English composers quickly embraced the galant idiom in works of great spirit which frequently exploit the more colourful palette to be drawn from the clarinet when it is employed in tonalities remote to the natural pitch of the instrument.

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