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RCA

Lutoslawski, Nielsen, Prokofiev / Stoltzman, Leighton Smith

$17.99

Details

Composer
LUTOSLAWSKI, WITOLD NIELSEN
Artist
Lawrence Leighton, Richard, Smith, Stoltzman
Format
CD
Label
RCA
Released
Sep 11, 2008
Catalog #
RCA63836
UPC
090266383627

About

Richard Stoltzman's continuing exploration of the clarinet repertoire has yielded some uniquely enjoyable concerto recordings for RCA, of which the current issue is just the latest example. The disc opens with Lutoslawski's Dance Preludes, a brilliant and lively work of highly varied moods and styles ranging from somber chant to frenzied dancing. Stoltzman sounds as comfortable in each of these witty preludes as he would playing Mozart or Gershwin.


Nielsen's concerto always has been a formidable challenge for clarinetists, and, through its discursive one-movement form, for the listener as well. Happily, Stoltzman's pointed shaping of the musical material aids in the recognition of the various melodic lines, while his freewheeling virtuosity consistently commands attention. Still, Olle Schill's stunningly recorded daredevil performance on BIS remains the Nielsen concerto of choice.


Probably the most interesting item on the program is Kent Kennan's recasting of Prokofiev's Flute Sonata as a concerto for clarinet and orchestra. Kennan succeeds admirably in approximating a real Prokofiev orchestral sound and his arrangement sheds new light on the work's subtle beauties. Indeed the finale, with its judicious use of timpani, seems to improve upon the original. Stoltzman certainly sounds convinced, and you can appreciate in his performance that sense of satisfaction at discovering a new classic. Lawrence Leighton Smith and the Warsaw Philharmonic provide handsomely played and truly collaborative accompaniments. RCA's recording is rather flat in perspective, but allows all of Stoltzman's infectious playing to be clearly heard. A desirable disc, and not just for clarinet fans.
--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 10 tracks

  1. 1 No. 1. Allegro molto 00:59
    Track
    1
    Title
    No. 1. Allegro molto
    Duration
    00:59
    Composer
    Witold Lutosławski
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  2. 2 No. 2. Andantino 03:08
    Track
    2
    Title
    No. 2. Andantino
    Duration
    03:08
    Composer
    Witold Lutosławski
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  3. 3 No. 3. Allegro giocoso 01:13
    Track
    3
    Title
    No. 3. Allegro giocoso
    Duration
    01:13
    Composer
    Witold Lutosławski
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  4. 4 No. 4. Andante 04:26
    Track
    4
    Title
    No. 4. Andante
    Duration
    04:26
    Composer
    Witold Lutosławski
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  5. 5 No. 5. Allegro molto 01:41
    Track
    5
    Title
    No. 5. Allegro molto
    Duration
    01:41
    Composer
    Witold Lutosławski
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  6. 6 Clarinet Concerto, Op. 57, FS 129 26:08
    Track
    6
    Title
    Clarinet Concerto, Op. 57, FS 129
    Duration
    26:08
    Composer
    Carl Nielsen
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman, Tomasz Bielak
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  7. 7 I. Moderato 08:43
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Moderato
    Duration
    08:43
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  8. 8 II. Scherzo: Presto 06:22
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Scherzo: Presto
    Duration
    06:22
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  9. 9 III. Andante 04:48
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Andante
    Duration
    04:48
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith
  10. 10 IV. Allegro con brio 08:07
    Track
    10
    Title
    IV. Allegro con brio
    Duration
    08:07
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer
    Richard Stoltzman
    Ensemble
    Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Lawrence Leighton Smith