Klarinet Archive - Posting 000165.txt from 1996/06

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Spohr Cto No. 2
Date: Wed, 12 Jun 1996 00:22:15 -0400

They may be out of print -- or at least very difficult to obtain -- but,
in my opinion, there is only one recording of the Spohr concerti which
stands head and shoulders above all others (and I've heard many):

On the Orfeo label (2 separate discs) are recorded all four concerti by
Karl Leister, accompanied by the RSO Stuttgart under Rafael Fruehbeck de
Burgos. Nos. 1 & 4 are on UPC 4011790088129, and nos. 2 & 3 are on UPC
4011790088228.

Leister, of course, was principal of the Berlin Philharmonic for a good
30 years or so (recently retired), having assumed the post in his early
20's. He is blessed with the incredible gift of making anything and
everything he plays sound completely effortless. The Spohr concerti are
technically monstrous in many respects, but you'll never know it by the
way Leister renders them. In my mind, the only way he can make the music
come alive so naturally and with such *apparent* ease is because it must
be easy for him in reality as well. I can think of no better model to
emulate if you wish to acquire an idea of how Concerto No. 2 might best
be played. This might apply equally to any other recording of music on
which Leister has performed. Although one may always take subjective
issue with style or interpretation, technical fluidity and musical
integrity are always unassailable in this master of the instrument and art.

My .02.

Neil

On Tue, 11 Jun 1996, Nate Burk wrote:

> The Massachusetts All-State audition piece this year is the first and second
> movements of the Spohr Clarinet Concerto No. 2. I haven't gotten the music
> yet, so maybe this is a little premature, but does anyone have comments or
> suggestions on the piece? I heard it's very technically challenging. Any
> recordings you guys recommend? Thanks in advance.
>
> --Nate
>
>
>
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> Have a nice day.
> nathan@-----.com/~nathan
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>