CCMusic.com

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 artisty 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 it's head high against starrier competition... Bliss is in his element... for forthright Brahms and a toe-tapping new work, this is strongly recommended." (Gramophone)