@mahler123 Mozart wrote a piece for the postal horn, the same horn that postal carriers used to announce the mail delivery.
Mozart-Clarinet Quintet
Mozart loved the Clarinet, which was invented during his lifetime. Many of his Symphonies and Piano Concertos exist in versions with and without clarinets, because the instrument was so new that many orchestras of the time didn’t have players.
Mozart wrote his three works featuring the instrument for one of his friends and drinking buddies. The guy actually played a basset clarinet, which has an ugly looking appendage that is cumbersome to hold and completely spoils the looks of the elegant clarinet that we know. It fell out of favor but importantly for Mozart’s pieces, it could go an octave lower than the traditional instrument. The Basset Clarinet was resurrected by the Historically Informed crowd, and many passages that sound awkward on regular clarinets suddenly make sense on the basset.
The Quintet shows Mozart’s love of instrumental color. He frequently mutes the strings and has the clarinet playing ghostly harmonies against ethereal strings. Those passages alternate with sprightly dance like passages. I love this piece and it is one of the most popular chamber music works.
My first recording featured Harold Wright, former Boston SO Principal, with assorted greats from the Marlboro Festival in Vermont. My second and all time favorite is the Academy of Ancient Music Chamber Music Players. I have several others and in general I prefer the ones with the Basset Clarinet.
Also check out the. Mozart Clarinet Concerto and the Skittles Trio
Showing 4 responses by goofyfoot
@mahler123 I’m not surprised that any label is moving away from SACD given that audiophiles are no longer buying disc players as they once had. Also, the mastering behind DSD is different than SACD. I’m wondering if streaming services will ever offer DSD streaming? I’m hoping that DSD will grow in downloads, etc… |
@frogman Thanks for the link! Those appear to be some wonderful instruments, I wouldn't mind owning a few myself. @mahler123 Yes, both BIS and Pentatone were early with their releases on SACD. I've never owned a good disc player much less an SACD player so I've never heard the SACD layer of those. Pentatone is now invested in DSD downloads. The Julia Fischer Schubert Violin Sonatas are available as DSD. I also believe there to be a fair amount of works for clarinet and woodwinds in general via DSD. |