Klarinet Archive - Posting 000323.txt from 1995/01

From: Robin Fairbairns <Robin.Fairbairns@-----.UK>
Subj: Re: British clarinettists on CD
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 1995 15:56:46 -0500

Jarle Brosveet writes:
> The British magazine Classic CD gives this opinion in the February '95 issue:
>
> "There are many superb recordings of the [Mozart] Clarinet Concerto, but one
> would have to go a long way to beat Emma Johnson. She manages a highly
> personal performance while at the same time making it sound as if she is
> playing it the way Mozart fully intended it to be. (ASV DCA 532) *****

It's funny, this, about Emma Johnson. Lots of people seem to like
her, but not a single one of the (many) British clarinettists I know
(me included) does.

> Another full-price performance with many admirers is Thea King's coupled
> with the Clarinet Quintet, though it is, on occasion, rather austere.
> (Hyperion CDA 66199) ****

Give me Thea in place of Emma any time, regardless of austerity (I'm a
child of the 40s...)

> At mid price, Gervase de Peyer's well-known recording is excellent, nicely
> restrained and ably accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra under Peter
> Maag. (Decca 433 727-2) ****

This is the recording I `grew up' with. I've vinyl of it, but wasn't
aware it was available on CD -- the coupling looks good, too.