Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K. 622; Clarinet Quintet. K. 581 The Essential Clarinet

Stoltzman's version of the Mozart Concerto is decent. It's not the best, but it's good. I find the Quintet, on the other hand, to be just great. While not everyone agrees with this, I think Stoltzman has a way with more lyrical music. He has a gift for expressive playing that I've found in few other recorded clarinetists. I think this very expressive playing also lends itself well to the more intimate feel of the quintet.Stoltzman has worked with the Tokyo Quartet on other CDs, and they seem to make a great team. I haven't heard many other recordings of the Quintet so I don't have much to compare it to... however, I don't need a comparison to know good playing when I hear it. As is usually the last line in ANY Stoltzman review -- it's not the most traditional rendition, but it's definitely worth hearing (more than once too!)

An enchanting body of work performed by what could arguably be described as the absolute best of the best. What’s not to like? You will not be disappointed.

While not the best sounding recording I have heard I enjoyed it thoroughly and think it is a great edition to any vinyl classical collection. I will probably keep looking for a higher quality performance, as good as Benny Goodman is, classical clarinet is not his strongest suit, but I will definitely enjoy listening to this for many years.

Perfect

Stoltzman takes a little getting used to. His tone is different, but it grows on one after a time. I find his flourishes a touch extravagant at times. This rendition is certainly not standard fare for clarinet concerto purists, but if you like K.622 you should own this Stoltzman version. Just be sure you also have Robert Marcellus' classic standard and David Shifrin's excellent basset horn version. I recently saw the Tokyo String Quartet perform with David Shifrin -- both were marvelous. I've yet to see Stoltzman live, but that's next on my list.

I first heard this music at an intimate chamber recital in the beautiful San Chapelle cathedral one night in Paris. Having been totally charmed by the experience, I bought the disk after returning to Seattle, and I have to say IT IS MY FAVORITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC (and I play classical on the piano). I recently saw the famous Twyla Tharpe Dance company dance to this music in the Paramount Theater in Seattle, and It seent me over the edge - absolutely beautiful to see this wonderful, upbeat music danced to by five beautiful, fun-loveing and artful dancers. I highly recommend this disc for those times when you just want to feel good and put on a smile... It's a reliable old friend for me now.

The clarinet concerto was the last work which Mozart completed (his final work, the Requiem, was left unfinished) and, thus, represents Mozart at the height of his extraordinary skills. It is an exceptionally beautiful piece of music and I have never heard it played as beautifully as on this CD. Some listeners may say that Stoltzman's performance is too "Romantic" for the Classical period within which Mozart composed. But Romanticism was just around the corner at the end of Mozart's life and, in fact, with the adagio of this clarinet concerto -- as well as the andante of his 21st piano concerto -- Mozart essentially initiated Romanticism. Therefore, I think that Stoltzman's gorgeous performance of the adagio is entirely appropriate. The clarinet quintet (featured in the last episode of the TV series MASH) is also superbly played. This is one of the most outstanding CDs I have ever heard. If you love beautiful music, please do yourself a favor: buy this CD and savor it without concern for musicological correctness.

Richard Stoltzman is a gifted clarinetist, but his gifts primarily lie in jazz and more modern music. Thus his Mozart Clarinet Concerto is somewhat flat and empty. The piece itself is amazing, but I would suggest finding another version of it.