The recording of Kalevi Aho's Clarinet Concerto was made in the presence of the composer, Kalevi Aho, in June 2006 at the Church of the Cross in Lahti, Finland.
Compositional Technique
Kalevi Aho's Clarinet Concerto incorporates technical tricks of the clarinet, suggested by soloist Martin Fröst, to enhance expressivity and virtuosity, including multiphonic sounds at the end.
Critical Reception
A Swedish critic, Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, wrote a "poisonously dismissive" review of Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto, calling it the "absolute worst thing" the composer had written.
Composition History
Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto was only performed six times during his lifetime, including a private premiere in Humlebæk and an official premiere in Copenhagen.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Carl Nielsen described his Clarinet Concerto as treating the solo instrument and orchestral parts as individuals, with a "social episode" towards the end where the clarinet introduces a folk-like theme.
Composition History
Kalevi Aho's Clarinet Concerto was commissioned by the Borletti-Buitoni Trust for Martin Fröst, the clarinet soloist on this album, after Fröst used his award prize for a new concerto.
Performer Biography
Osmo Vänskä, the conductor on this album, began his musical career as a clarinetist, holding the co-principal's chair in the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra for several years.
