Jonathan Cohler: The Clarinet Alone

Jonathan Cohler (Artist, Performer), Donald Martino (Composer), Egon Wellesz (Composer), Olivier Messiaen (Composer), Erland von Koch (Composer), William O. Smith (Composer), Vincent Persichetti (Composer), Willson Osborne (Composer), Nicolo Paganini (Composer), none (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jonathan Cohler
• Conductor: none
• Composer: Donald Martino, Egon Wellesz, Olivier Messiaen, Erland von Koch, William O. Smith, et al.
• Audio CD (October 31, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ongaku Records
• ASIN: B000001Z2I
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,479 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. A Set: 1. Allegro

2. A Set: 2. Adagio

3. A Set: 3. Allegro

4. Ste, Op.74: 1. Rhap: Tempo Rubato

5. Ste, Op.74: 2. Ser: Molto Tranquillo

6. Ste, Op.74: 3. Scherzo: Vivace

7. Ste, Op.74: 4. Dance: Allegretto

8. Quatour Pour La Fin Du Temps: Abime Des Oiseaux

9. Monolog 3: 1. Andante Sostenuto

10. Monolog 3: 2. Allegro Vivace

11. Five Pieces: 1. Vigorous

12. Five Pieces: 2. Flowing

13. Five Pieces: 3. Rhythmic

14. Five Pieces: 4. Singing

15. Five Pieces: 5. Spirited

16. Parable, Op.126 (Parable XIII)

17. Rhap

18. Moto Perpetuo, Op.11

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, March 24, 2003

By 

John Blackburn (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jonathan Cohler: The Clarinet Alone (Audio CD)

Every composition well-chosen, every performance well-played. The recording quality is clear with splendid presence.

The Paganini--wow! I've already moved the doleful Osborne to my frequent-listening shelf. It's unsurprising the Martino appeals to clarinetists: it's exciting and athletic, leaping over multiple octaves at a single bound! I also enjoyed Enland von Koch's alternatively playful and pensive "Monolog 3".

This is a fine collection of 20th century solo clarinet works. It's great to have them recorded. That they are so *well* recorded makes it all the sweeter.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking Virtuosity!, April 6, 2007

By 

J. Keith "saxunltd" (Shoreline, WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jonathan Cohler: The Clarinet Alone (Audio CD)

Love the album! First heard a live performance of the Martino "A Set for Clarinet" while in college. This recording is as good, for sure! Also love Mr. Cohler's take on Wm. O. Smith's "Five Pieces for Clarinet Alone".
(I know Bill Smith personally, and I'm sure he loves it too!). Best of all though, is the Paganini "Molto Perpetuo". Superb circular breathing!

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good but not flawless, November 21, 2003

By 

Alex Pritchard (Westland, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jonathan Cohler: The Clarinet Alone (Audio CD)

I don't have any overwhelming complaints about this recording, but from a clarinetist's standpoint, there are a few detractions. I thought the use of vibrato was a bit overdone and definitely affected the tone in a less than positive way. The echo-y sound of the recording definitely helps gloss over some things, but it almost has the effect of a pianist who uses too much pedal. On pieces for solo clarinet, I'd really like to hear a good clear tone with more core to it, rather than a somewhat flighty sound that uses vibrato to maintain your interest.

Matters of taste aside, the technical facility was excellent, except for a few minor spots where the rhythmic consistency seemed a little shaky. Some of the pieces have a lot of rubato feel to them, and that's fine, but some of them clearly demand a steady pulse, and there are just a few minor places were you're not quite sure if it's still there (a couple places in the smith 5 pieces for clarinet for example). Pitch on the extreme registers was good, and most of the weird effects came across well.

All in all, I'd recommend this to any clarinet aficionados, but serious students would be advised to take the performance with a grain of salt (as I suppose could be said of any recordings really.)