COMPOSERS: Finzi,Stanford
LABELS: Hyperion Helios
WORKS: Clarinet Concerto in A minor
PERFORMER: Thea King (clarinet); Philharmonia Orchestra/Alun Francis
CATALOGUE NO: CDH 55101 Reissue (1979)
The contrast is striking. Stanford’s Clarinet Concerto may be the more solidly constructed and efficiently crafted work, but compared with Finzi’s vitality, expressive subtlety and long-breathed lyrical charm, it’s rarely more than a worthy effort. Thea King’s shaping and colouring of Finzi’s almost improvisatory melodic lines is more deeply persuasive than any other recorded version I know – touching without being sentimental. As for the Stanford, I’ll just say that King’s playing suggests she likes it more than I did. Neither recording sounds quite as fresh and clear as they did when they first appeared, 20 years ago, but they’re still more than serviceable. Stephen Johnson
Stanford, Finzi
The contrast is striking. Stanford’s Clarinet Concerto may be the more solidly constructed and efficiently crafted work, but compared with Finzi’s vitality, expressive subtlety and long-breathed lyrical charm, it’s rarely more than a worthy effort. Thea King’s shaping and colouring of Finzi’s almost improvisatory melodic lines is more deeply persuasive than any other recorded version I know – touching without being sentimental. As for the Stanford, I’ll just say that King’s playing suggests she likes it more than I did.
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 1:17 pm