Search - Carl Maria von Weber, David Golub :: Weber: Clarinet Concertos

Painful Clarinet Concertos

N. Marsalli | 08/26/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This latest release from Delos promises both to stun and to intrigue. The recording is yet another release of the Clarinet Concertos by Weber that falls very short of the musical mark. This recording falls short in many respects. The first striking blunder of the recording is the terrible orchestral sound in the introduction to the Second Concerto. It is remarkable how fowl the ensemble and balance is maintained. The woefullness is matched only by the entrance of the clarinet. David Shifrin who is known for his warmth and "bel canto" approach to the clarinet demonstrates throughout the recording poor intonation, sense of line, tonal beauty, and musical taste. To his credit, Shifrin is a clarinetist who can not be matched in the number of musical ideas, yet he seems here almost totally incapable of expressing them. Hopefully this is not a representation of the state of David Shifrins current musicianship. Golub and his band maintain a good balance with Shifrin throughout in maintaining the lowest musical stadards yet to be put on recording of the Weber Concerti. I would strongly recommend the Weber Concertos of Jon Manasse or Sabine Meyer as much better alternatives to this distrubing recording."

Shifrin shines in Weber's concertos

S. Peliska | Naples, FL | 01/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I almost didn't purchase this CD due an unfavorable review it received, but I overcame my doubts and purchased it anyway, much to my delight. Weber's clarinet concertos are among the most enjoyable in the repertoire, and David Shifrin provides an equally enjoyable performance. Overall, his tone is, as usual with him, incredibly soft and smooth; and his technique is flawless throughout. Occasionally his intonation is slightly off, especially on some of the high notes, but this by no means mars the performance. Another good thing about this album is that it combines all three of Weber's compositions for clarinet and orchestra on one disc.



The Concerto No. 2 in E-flat is featured first; this is structurally the most straightforward of the three (although out of the three it is most demanding on the soloist), with the first movement written in straight sonata form with the strings dominating the accompaniment. The second movement is very operatic in nature, with sudden register leaps and dramatic declamations; it is here that most of the intonation problems occur, but again they do not hamper one's enjoyment of the music. The finale, a polacca, is dazzling virtuoso writing, some of the most difficult music written for the clarinet, but Shifrin makes it sounds effortless. It's mind-blowing musicianship.



The Concerto No. 1 in F minor is more varied in style and texture than the second concerto. The first movement is very dark and serious, reminiscent of the famous Wolf's Glen scene from Weber's opera Der Freischütz. After a menacing orchestral ritornello, the clarinet enters quietly, alone. After the mysterious opening section, the piece switches to a major key for the development, but before long we are back in F minor as the clarinet runs up and down its range in a sinister, unsettling conclusion. Again, the second movement is a songlike quasi-aria, but this time there is a fast, tempestuous middle section that recalls the darkness of the first movement. In the third movement, however, all shadows are dispelled as the clarinet engages in a playful, scherzo-like romp with the orchestra, some of the most fun of Weber's writing for the clarinet.



The Concertino in E-flat is probably the most popular and enjoyable of the three concerto pieces. Written in one extended movement, the piece begins with a slow introduction in C minor, followed by a theme and variations pattern in the home key of E-flat. Capping it all off is a delightful, lilting 6/8 finale that is at once charming and technically impressive.



As for the quality of the recorded sound, I did not find it to be quite up to par with Delos' usual high quality recording standards; it sounds tinny at higher volumes and the orchestral sound lacks defining clarity. However, that does not drastically affect one's enjoyment of the album, and I find myself listening to it again and again, despite its flaws, and loving it every time."

(untitled)

N. Marsalli | The Twilight Zone | 01/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not being a clarinetist, I cannot fully appreciate this CD, but as a lover of music, I highly reccomend this well done recording. The clarity of the CD is fabulous, the orchestra is very impressive, and the clarinetist, David S., plays the Weber with a fiery intensity that I can not describe to its fullness through words. It is most definately worth purchasing."