Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in Major, K. 581 - Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat Major Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss

• Carl Maria von Weber (1786 - 1826): Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat Major, Op. 34, J. 182
• 1 Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat Major, Op. 34, J. 182: I. Allegro 10:16
• 2 Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat Major, Op. 34, J. 182: II. Fantasia: Adagio ma non troppo 05:15
• 3 Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat Major, Op. 34, J. 182: III. Menuetto - Capriccio: Presto 05:14
• 4 Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat Major, Op. 34, J. 182: IV. Rondo: Allegro giocoso 06:13
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791): Clarinet Quintet in A Major, Op. 108, K. 581:
• 5 Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, Op. 108, K. 581: I. Allegro 09:20
• 6 Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, Op. 108, K. 581: II. Larghetto 06:21
• 7 Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, Op. 108, K. 581: III. Menuetto - Trio I-II 06:57
• 8 Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, Op. 108, K. 581: IV. Allegretto con variazioni 09:15
• Total Runtime 58:51

Info for Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in Major, K. 581 - Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat Major

Julian Bliss joins the Carducci String Quartet in performances of two seminal works – Weber’s Clarinet Quintet in B flat Major, Op. 34 and Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K.581.

Both Mozart and Weber were inspired by the artistry of performers of their day (Anton Stadler in Mozart’s case, and Heinrich Baermann in Weber’s). Their technical prowess, tonal quality and imaginative range allowed each composer to expand the clarinet repertoire with these works, which remain pre-eminent in the genre.

This is the second recording collaboration between Bliss and the Carducci String Quartet, following the 2016 release of David Bruce’s Gumboots and Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet: “Here’s a double delight.

First, an engaging new work which deserves a place in the chamber repertory; second, a passionate account of Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet which can hold its head high against starrier competition…Bliss is in his element…for forthright Brahms and a toe-tapping new work, this is strongly recommended.” (Gramophone)

Julian Bliss, clarinet
Carducci String Quartet

Carducci String Quartet
An internationally renowned Anglo-Irish string quartet based in the UK, the versatile and award-winning Carducci String Quartet has performed everything from brand new quartets, classic works by Haydn, complete Shostakovich cycles, and even partnered with folk-rock icon Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Founded in 1997, the quartet has won numerous international competitions, including the Concert Artists Guild International Competition 2007 in New York and First Prize at Finland’s Kuhmo International Chamber Music Competition 2004. In 2016, they took home a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for their performances of cycles of the complete Shostakovich Quartets. This Shostakovich15 project was accompanied by a recording of quartets Nos 4, 8 and 11—their second disc for Signum Classics, and it was recognised by BBC Music Magazine as 'a fine achievement, boasting excellent ensemble, musical insight and sensitive attention to detail'. The quartet has released a bevy of acclaimed recordings on their own label, Carducci Classics, as well as Signum Classics. Their recordings of Philip Glass Quartets have had over six million plays on Spotify.

Described by The Strad as presenting 'a masterclass in unanimity of musical purpose, in which severity could melt seamlessly into charm, and drama into geniality', the Carducci Quartet is recognised as one of today’s most successful string quartets. Performing over 90 concerts worldwide each year, the quartet also run an annual festival in Highnam, Gloucester.

Booklet for Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in Major, K. 581 - Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat Major