The Lyrical Clarinet Volume 1

It's hard to imagine this varied programme better played than by Collins and Michael McHale. They're technically impeccable and stylistically flexible, and, aided by an unobtrusively excellent... — BBC Music Magazine, April 2011, More…

Release Date: 31st Jan 2011
Catalogue No: CHAN10637
Label: Chandos
Length: 80 minutes

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Burgmüller, N: Duo in E flat major, Op. 15

11:02

$3.15

$3.80

Michael McHale (piano), Michael Collins (clarinet)

Finzi: Five Bagatelles for clarinet & piano, Op. 23

14:56

$5.25

$6.25

Michael Collins (clarinet), Michael McHale (piano)

No. 1. Prelude

3:35

$1.05

$1.25

No. 2. Romance

4:36

$1.05

$1.25

No. 3. Carol

2:00

$1.05

$1.25

No. 4. Forlana

2:34

$1.05

$1.25

No. 5. Fughetta

2:11

$1.05

$1.25

Baermann, H: Clarinet Quintet No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 23: II. Adagio (arr. P. Weston for clarinet and piano)

4:15

$1.05

$1.25

Michael Collins (clarinet), Michael McHale (piano)

Saint-Saëns: Clarinet Sonata in E flat major, Op. 167

15:53

$4.20

$5.00

Michael McHale (piano), Michael Collins (clarinet)

I. Allegretto

4:23

$1.05

$1.25

II. Allegro animato

2:08

$1.05

$1.25

III. Lento

4:21

$1.05

$1.25

IV. Molto allegro

5:01

$1.05

$1.25

Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel

9:15

$2.10

$2.50

Michael Collins (clarinet), Michael McHale (piano)

Reade: Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite

11:20

$5.25

$6.25

Michael Collins (clarinet), Michael McHale (piano)

I. Prelude

3:12

$1.05

$1.25

II. Spring

1:24

$1.05

$1.25

III. Mists

2:52

$1.05

$1.25

IV. Exotica

1:41

$1.05

$1.25

V. Summer

2:11

$1.05

$1.25

Poulenc: Clarinet Sonata, Op. 184

13:38

$3.15

$3.75

Michael McHale (piano), Michael Collins (clarinet)

I. Allegro tristemente: Allegretto - Tres calme - Tempo allegretto

5:15

$1.05

$1.25

II. Romanza: Tres calme

5:18

$1.05

$1.25

III. Allegro con fuoco: Tres anime

3:05

$1.05

$1.25

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Michael Collins, the virtuoso clarinettist and exclusive Chandos artist, returns for a second volume in Chandos’ series showcasing the extraordinarily wide range of music written for his instrument. The first volume, The Virtuoso Clarinet (CHAN10615), was described by International Record Review as: ‘…an absolute charmer, most beautifully played… difficult to imagine a finer performance than that given here.’

Accompanied by Michael McHale on the piano, Collins here explores the lyrical qualities of the clarinet in a programme comprising a widely varied repertoire. One of the prime qualities of the instrument is its likeness in tone and range to the human voice, which has inspired composers to write aria- and lyric song-like pieces for it.

Baermann’s Adagio in D flat perfectly illustrates the clarinet’s capacity for sustained lyric melody, taking on the character of an operatic aria, the clarinet’s soulful line interspersed with sudden bursts of bravura. Though once ascribed to Richard Wagner, the piece is now acknowledged as being by Baermann, widely recognised as one of the greatest clarinettists of his time.

Among the other key works on this release is Saint-Saëns’s four-movement Clarinet Sonata in E flat. A very late work, it is one of three woodwind sonatas composed shortly before the composer’s death in 1921. In this work too, the clarinet appears at its most lyrical, not least in the refined and songful opening theme; as quicker and more extrovert music takes centre stage, the movement exploits the full virtuoso potential of the clarinet.

The Clarinet Sonata of 1962, one of Poulenc’s very last works, was dedicated to the memory of Arthur Honegger, a fellow member of the ‘Groupe des Six’ in the 1920s, who had died in 1955. This accounts for the intense sense of sadness and loss in the first movements. However, the finale offers relief from the sombre mood, capturing a kaleidoscope of witty, agile, and highly rhythmic ideas right up to the dramatic conclusion.

Reviews

April 2011

It's hard to imagine this varied programme better played than by Collins and Michael McHale. They're technically impeccable and stylistically flexible, and, aided by an unobtrusively excellent recording, they both produce some beautiful pianissimo playing.

April 2011

A highly engaging programme from Michael Collins, whose rare combination of tonal mellifluousness and virtuoso flair brings a satisfying unity to a wide range of styles.

May 2011

This disc, in all the varied items, again demonstrates the magnetism and sheer beauty of his playing, whatever the idiom...a fine recital, vividly recorded to match the inspiration of the playing.

March 2011

Collins plays [the Five Bagatelles] with much affection...overall I enjoyed these performances greatly.

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