This disc contains all of Felix Mendelssohn’s chamber music for clarinet, which turns out to be only three pieces: Concert Piece for Clarinet, Basset Horn, and Pianoforte Op. 113; Sonata for Clarinet and Piano; and Concert Piece for Clarinet, Basset Horn, and Pianoforte Op. 114. But what extraordinary pieces they are! Indeed, the catalog lists at least 10 CD releases of the Op. 114 alone. This work is a subtly complex tapestry of interweaving themes and melodies equally shared by the clarinet (Dieter Klöcker) and the basset horn (Luigi Magistrelli). In fact, this work is often used as a show piece for students of the clarinet. It was written for virtuoso Heinrich Joseph Baermann (1784-1847) and his son Carl Baermann, who was no slouch either. Both concert pieces bear Mendelssohn’s distinctive fluid lyricism, but their structures, indeed their whole execution, depend on principles Mozart advocated. There’s nothing innovative here, just excellent music, excellently performed. The program also includes a work by Carl Baermann (1811-85)–his Duo Concertant for Two Clarinets and Piano. It’s a surprisingly non-derivative piece. Though it’s not terribly complicated, it calls for superior coordination and timing by the soloists, in this case Dieter Klöcker and Sandra Arnold. Sound quality is excellent if somewhat biased toward softness. [8/9/2000]
