Weber's preference for the clarinet was influenced by Heinrich Baermann, a famous clarinetist who had a ten-keyed clarinet built to express a wide range of romantic sentiments.
Performer Biography
Fabio Di Càsola, the clarinetist on this recording, won first prize at the prestigious Geneva Competition in 1990, becoming the first clarinetist in 16 years to do so.
Performer Biography
Juri Gilbo, the conductor, began his musical journey with violin lessons at age four and later studied at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatorium in St. Petersburg.
Composition History
All three major works on this CD — the two Clarinet Concertos and the Clarinet Quintet — were dedicated by Carl Maria von Weber to the clarinetist Heinrich Baermann.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Carl Maria von Weber, the composer, possessed a vivid imagination, particularly stimulated by nature, which he described as conjuring musical images from his 'spirit-world'.
Composer Biography
Weber's instrumental works, including those on this album, had a significant impact on the development of Romantic instrumental music.
Performer Biography
The Russian Chamber Philharmonic St. Petersburg, founded in 1990 by graduates of the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatorium, is one of Europe's most sought-after chamber orchestras.
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Weber: Clarinet Concertos / Rossini: Introduction, Theme and Variations
