Michael Collins, the clarinetist on this recording, was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist of the Year Award for expanding his instrument's repertoire.
Composer Biography
Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, the first major British composer to write for solo clarinet, held influential posts at the University of Cambridge and the Royal College of Music in London.
Composer Biography
Several composers on this album, including John Ireland and Herbert Howells, were pupils of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford at the Royal College of Music.
Composition History
Brahms was the first major composer to write sonatas for clarinet and piano, setting a precedent followed by British composers on this album.
Performer Biography
Michael McHale, the pianist on this recording, is a Belfast-born, award-winning musician who has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras worldwide.
Recording & Production
This recording utilizes 24-bit technology, offering a dynamic range up to 48 dB greater and 256 times the resolution of standard 16-bit recordings.
Historical Context
The clarinet emerged as a significant solo instrument over more than a century, through associations between major composers and leading players of their day.
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