Crusell: Clarinet Quartet No. 1; Clarinet Quartet No. 2; Clarinet Quartet No. 3

COMPOSERS: Crusell
LABELS: BIS
WORKS: Clarinet Quartet No. 1; Clarinet Quartet No. 2; Clarinet Quartet No. 3
PERFORMER: Osmo Vanska (clarinet), Pekka Kauppinen (violin), Anu Airas (viola), likka Palli (cello)
CATALOGUE NO: CD-741

Those not familiar with these delightful pieces are likely to be pleasantly surprised, for, although inevitably overshadowed by the clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms, they are skilfully written and contain some very appealing music. While the exact dates remain unknown, the quartets appear to date from between 1803 and around 1821 and are remarkably varied in both mood and style. The lightness of the early E flat Quartet gives way to darker colours in the C minor piece, while the more harmonically advanced D major work is perhaps the most successful, with the influence of Schubert clearly discernible. If Crusell cannot claim a place among the most important composers of the time, he was a well-respected and versatile musician who, in addition to working as a composer, was also a virtuoso clarinettist, conductor, libretto translator and critic. The performances here are all excellent, with particularly fine clarinet playing from Osmo Vanska (himself a noted conductor). Overall, this is a most enjoyable and highly recommended recording. Tim Payne