The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Jorg Widmann in the Mozart Quintet

Author: Klose ★2017
Date: 2018-03-08 03:21

Of course different people have various opinions here but I would like to mention that recently Widmann has played Mozart concerto with Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev. For a world leading orchestra which regard performing Mozart's music as one proud part of their culture and tradition, this certainly means they also consider Widmann's interpretation is outstanding. However, to me, his most extraordinary feature is showed in his contemporary music playing.

First of all, I never heard any other clarinetist ever had a clarinet only recital (yes, without piano), but for Widmann, he does this very frequently. Most of the pieces are either composed by himself or by some other composers dedicated to him, e.g.,

https://www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/whats-on/jorg-widmann/7166

Second, his own clarinet pieces are also fantastic. Here are several examples:

-Fantasy for solo clarinet. Most people know this piece and it has become a standard piece for both performance and competition. Widmann played this piece in the opening concert of the Pierre Boulez hall and also the 50 years anniversary concert of Orchestre de Paris.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kDIvG0Ck0k

-Three Shadow Dances. To me, the most technically difficult piece for solo clarinet. It used literally all possible extended techniques and it is even far more difficult to play on French system clarinets due to some multiphonics. He recorded this piece on his Mozart, Weber album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MknZGgGiMk&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsRMF2MPnV0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD9k3IcLRIY

-Five Fragments. Widmann himself called this piece as a crazy one. However, to me it shows every extreme thing our instrument can do. A good video played by Yulia Drukh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSVp6EOKBxs&t=26s

Widmann on CD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBeyuUT0nYM&list=PLVt18Aj71ill6ivVIjlNIMDJ7wH9pwvyy&index=11

-Elegie. A concerto paying homage to Mozart. It has a similar orchestration but of course the piece itself is completely modern.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQaY3mVsgII&list=PLVt18Aj71ill6ivVIjlNIMDJ7wH9pwvyy&index=16

-Echo Fragmente. A concerto much less performed than Elegie because it requires two orchestras, one modern, one baroque, and with different tuning!!! However, Widmann will perform this piece shortly with Orchestre de Paris.

-Clarinet Quintet. A new piece. He is now playing this piece with several renowned string quartets (e.g, Hagen Quartet) all over the world.

Post Edited (2018-03-08 08:28)

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics