Richard Birchall's Concerto for Basset Clarinet and Orchestra is inspired by the artwork of M. C. Escher, translating aspects of his work into musical form.
Instruments
Mozart's Clarinet Quintet and Clarinet Concerto were originally composed for the basset clarinet, a slightly larger and deeper version of the instrument developed by Anton Stadler, the Imperial capital's star clarinettist.
Performer Biography
Michael Collins has a distinguished career as both a soloist and a conductor, and has premiered works by composers such as John Adams and Elliott Carter.
Composition History
The original manuscripts for Mozart's Clarinet Quintet and Clarinet Concerto have disappeared, and early published versions were clumsily adapted for the standard A clarinet, obscuring the original basset clarinet parts.
Performer Biography
Michael Collins, the clarinet soloist on this album, was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2015 for his services to music.
Compositional Technique
In Richard Birchall's 'Metamorphosis' movement, the predominant motif in the solo clarinet spells out the musical letters of M. C. Escher's name: E flat - C - B - E (Es - C - H - E in German notation).
Recording & Production
The Philharmonia Orchestra, featured on this recording, is a pioneer in digital technology, blazing a trail for classical music in Virtual Reality with VR experiences featuring music by Sibelius, Mahler, and Beethoven.
You might also enjoy...
Schacht: Clarinet Concertos
Classic Clarinet
Contemporary Clarinet Concertos
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A / Clarinet Quintet in A
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, K. 581 & Clarinet Concerto, K. 622
