Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Louis Spohr, Gioachino Rossini :: Sharon Kam Plays Concerti

Review from Clarinet & Saxophone Magazine, Spring 2006

Martin | Germany | 05/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a very high quality disc. The playing is immaculate and the orchestral accompaniment very fine indeed, displaying excellent rapport between soloist and conductor. Kam displays fluency, producing virtuosity combined with tasteful phrasing and a pleasant, even and controlled sound.



The Mendelssohn Concert Pieces with Johannes Peitz (basset Horn) are brilliantly played. Peitz is a masterful basset horn player in both the technical and musical sence and is an equally talented partner for Kam. Tasteful phrasing and neat passage work abound in these virtuoso performances.



Spohr Concerto no. 4 is almost an introverted sombre piece compared to the other Spohr concertos. I found this somewhat carefully measured interpetation grew on me more as I listened to it again and again.



The Weber Concertino was played with highly technical approach with incredible rapid staccato and virtuosity.



My favorite performance on this disc is undoubtedly the Rossini in which Kam reveals in the fluency of her technique, producing quicksilver light staccato and some musically effective use of phrasing, reminiscent of the great coloratura sopranos. The virtuoso cadenza at the end ingeniously interpolates short passages from The Barber of Seville.



I enjoyed the performance on this disc and would heartily reccomend it to all who appreciate high quality clarinet playing, combined with understated musicianship from Sharon Kam and superb, slightly more extrovert basset horn playing from Peitz. The sensitive accompaniments by Gregor Buehl and the MDR orchestra are equally impressive.



Leslie Carven"