Customer Reviews

Brahms: Clarinet Quintet, Op. 115 / Weber: Clarinet Quintet, Op. 34

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Eddie Daniels, together with Cuban-born Paquito d'Rivera, is the main heir of the Benny Goodman tradition of full mastery of the clarinet both for jazz and for classical music. This cd with two famous clarinet quintets, by Weber and Brahms, is played with sensitivity and virtuosity. The clarinet blends very well with The Composers String Quartet. The quality of the recording is excellent: transparent and warm.

If you're trying to decide which quintet you like better, the Weber or the Brahms, Eddie Daniels makes your choice easier (or more difficult, depending on how you look at it) because he does both brilliantly in this 1990 recording. The Weber has more fast-moving passages, but the Brahms features challenges in dynamics and expression. Throughout, Daniels demonstrates his uncanny ability to extract the sweetest possible sound from the clarinet regardless of register or dynamic level. He is your best guide to these two classic pieces in the clarinet repertoire.
Daniels is also a jazz virtuoso. If you're interested in a superb demonstration of his ability to meld classical and jazz, look for his 1986 album "Breakthrough." Another great crossover album is "Crossing the Line" with fellow clarinetist Larry Combs. For straight jazz, an excellent choice is his 2007 release "Homecoming."

There are many great recordings of these two pieces, but Daniels' rendition is as good as any I've ever heard. Eddie Daniels is an amazing jazz clarinetist (and saxophonist) but in these pieces, at least, does classical as well as anyone ever has. Spectacular technique, beautiful tone, excellent pacing and style. If you like these pieces, you can't go wrong with Daniels' renditions.