Mozart, W.A.: Clarinet Concerto in A Major / Molter, J.C.: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1, 3 and 4

Featuring

John Storgårds
Kari Kriikku
Tapiola Sinfonietta
Johann Melchior Molter
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Composition History

Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A major, KV 622, was his last completed extensive work, written for his friend and virtuoso clarinettist Anton Stadler.

Composer Biography

Johann Melchior Molter, the composer of the clarinet concertos, was born in Eisenach, Germany, and began his career as a violinist in the service of Karl Wilhelm, Count of Baden-Dürlach.

Performer Biography

Kari Kriikku, the clarinet soloist, has premiered numerous works, including all clarinet compositions by Magnus Lindberg, and has performed Tiensuu's concerto 'Puro' over 40 times.

Performer Biography

John Storgårds, the conductor, is also an active violinist with the most extensive discography of any Finnish violinist, including nine concerto recordings.

Instruments

Mozart's Clarinet Concerto was written for the basset clarinet, an instrument specially constructed for Anton Stadler, which extended four semitones lower than the conventional A clarinet.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Molter had a particular interest in unusual solo instruments, writing not only for the clarinet but also for its predecessor, the chalumeau, as well as the harp, flauto d'amore, and flauto cornetto.