The Essential Clarinet

Aaron Copland (Composer), Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Composer), John Corigliano (Composer), Lawrence Leighton Smith (Conductor), Richard Stoltzman (Conductor), Woody Herman & His Thundering Herd (Performer), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Woody Herman & His Thundering Herd
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Lawrence Leighton Smith, Richard Stoltzman
• Composer: Aaron Copland, Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein, John Corigliano
• Audio CD (October 9, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003FC2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,907 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun but different., September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Essential Clarinet (Audio CD)

Stoltzman's rendition of these four 20th century clarinet masterpieces are very satisfying. Stoltman's interpretation of these pieces are jazzy and fun, complete with a touch of glissando here and there. Personally, I enjoyed the Copland and the Bernstein the most. A word of caution. The pieces included on this CD are quite contemporary. They may sound a little odd at first to the unaccustomed. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful CD.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Unbelievable..., December 29, 2002

By 

Donald G. Hite III "clarinetist extraordinaire!" (Houston, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Clarinet (Audio CD)

Okay, at the risk of sounding crazy, Richard Stoltzman is the greatest thing that ever happened to clarinet music!! There are no words to describe the great talent he displays on this CD. I've personally perfomed the Copland Concerto (not anywhere nearly as well as him, though) and I'm baffled by his technical skill and how easy he makes it sound. I've heard many versions of this (including the original by Goodman) and Stoltzman's jazzy interpretation is wonderful and not at all over-done (as far as smears and what not). The Stravinsky is really nice, but might take a little getting used to.. I really enjoy it though. The Berstein is really nice, but I do agree w/ another review which said it was largely filler... there isn't a whole lot of clarinet in the "Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs", but what there is is fantastic.

Now, for the Corigliano. I've met Corigliano before, and the man is a genious (as is evident in his music). Beware of "Cadenzas"... it starts really soft, but gets really loud so be read to adjust the volume at a moments notice... The last movement is unbelievable... Stoltzman really showcases his abillities here. There is a quasi-cadenza in the clarinet in the third section after a little timpani solo that is amazing. I've listened to it several times and I still can't grasp how he makes the sounds he does (you really have to hear it to understand). While a little harder on the listener than a "typical" concerto, this one is really nice. Corigliano manages to showcase the most wonderful qualities of the clarinet AND create unique and inspiring sounds in the orchestra (especially in the first movement). This is a must have for any music lover (clarinetist or not).

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential Clarinet--not enough of it., July 10, 2001

By 

Robert W. Wynne - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Clarinet (Audio CD)

All right, Richard Stoltzman is awesome. Yes. We all know it. This CD is great in its own right, however...it's lacking more of what the title promises--the clarinet. The Copland Concerto is great (a little brighter than other recordings of his I've heard) and the Corigliano is different and VERY essoteric. However, the other pieces are primarily orchestral filling. This CD is all about style and attitude! If you're looking for something different, this CD is for you.