Gerald Finzi wrote his Concerto for Clarinet and Strings in 1948 as a post-war commission, but the work draws all of its spiritual power from pre-World War II British Romanticism–principally Bax, Delius, and Vaughan Williams. Most of what Finzi wrote in his (relatively brief) lifetime was for the human voice, and in this concerto the clarinet’s role is very much like that of a singer. Soloist Margaret Donaghue’s main strength lies in her ability to completely disappear into the role, letting the music emerge with all of its natural grace and refinement. This may very well be Finzi’s best purely orchestral work, and if you haven’t heard it, you’re in for a treat.
The Brahms sonata that follows was originally written for clarinet and piano. Conductor Thomas Sleeper’s orchestral version creates an entirely different yet equally valid view of the work: the large ensemble not only adds color and character, but also provides extraordinary textural depth without drowning out the soloist. The last work here is minor but appealing Strauss, a chip off the master’s workbench. Recorded sound throughout is warm and intimate. It also helps to have a conductor who knows how to find the heart of these works. I highly recommend this disc, especially for the Finzi.
