Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622 & Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581

Featuring

Peter Oundjian
Martin Fröst
Øyvor Volle
Berit Værnes Cardas
Henninge Båtnes Landås
Bjørg Værnes Lewis

Amsterdam Sinfonietta
Vertavo String Quartet
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Recording & Production

This Hybrid SACD recording uses Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology, which captures 2.8 million samples per second, offering a wider dynamic range and frequency response than traditional CD technology.

Composition History

Mozart was so impressed by Anton Stadler's clarinet playing that he composed several major works specifically for him, including the Clarinet Quintet in A major, KV581, and the Clarinet Concerto in A major, KV622.

Historical Context

Anton Stadler, a virtuoso clarinetist, and his brother Johann helped establish the clarinet, a relatively new instrument in the mid-18th century, in the classical music world.

Critical Reception

An eager reviewer of the time enthusiastically called Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A major, KV622, "the finest clarinet concerto in the world" for its beautiful, regular, and tasteful writing.

Compositional Technique

The Clarinet Concerto in A major, KV622, Mozart's last completed instrumental work, is considered a highlight of the concerto repertoire due to its virtuoso versatility and the symbiotic relationship between the solo instrument and the orchestra.

Performer Biography

Martin Fröst, the Swedish clarinetist on this recording, is known for exploring new aspects of musical creativity and pushing the limits of musical expression, inspiring numerous composers to write for him.

Recording & Production

The Hybrid SACD contains three versions of the DSD master recording: a multi-bit CD version, an SACD stereo version with greater resolution, and a surround sound version for multichannel players.