Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #157932 in Music
• Released on: 2001-05-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .24 pounds
• Running time: 49 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
First released 20 years ago, this recording of clarinet concertos by Finzi and Stanford makes a welcome reappearance, since these works--indeed, these composers--are more likely to find a sympathetic reception now. Though both works have a folk-song element--English for Finzi, Irish for Stanford--neither could be accused of belonging to the "cowpat school" of composition: both owe more to German Romanticism. And vastly more, in Stanford's case: professor of composition at the Royal College of Music, this Irish-born composer was both a follower and friend of Brahms, whose voice can be heard so strongly throughout this concerto that you might at times think he'd written it himself. But Stanford's craftsmanship was impeccable, and his voice was truly his own--the colours and textures he draws from the orchestra are often gorgeous. Finzi too was a craftsman par excellence, though with more magic in his touch: the second movement of his concerto is a subtle miracle. Thea King, the superb soloist throughout, had the unique advantage of being married to the clarinettist who both studied with Stanford and had the Finzi concerto written for him. In that sense too, this CD is living history. --Michael Church