Martin Fröst plays concertos dedicated to Benny Goodman [Import]

Malcolm Arnold (Composer), Aaron Copland (Composer), Paul Hindemith (Composer), Lan Shui (Conductor), Malmö Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Malmö Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Lan Shui
• Composer: Malcolm Arnold, Aaron Copland, Paul Hindemith
• Audio CD (August 7, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Bis
• ASIN: B000009NP2
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,379 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Clarinet Concerto: 1. Slowly and expressively. Cadenza

2. Clarinet Concerto: 2. Rather Fast

3. Clarinet Concerto: Rather fast

4. Clarinet Concerto: Ostinato. Fast

5. Clarinet Concerto: Quiet

6. Clarinet Concerto: Gay

7. Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 115: Allegro vivace

8. Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 115: Lento

9. Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 115: Allegro non troppo (The Pre-Goodman Rag)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice!, March 24, 2003

By 

Donald G. Hite III "clarinetist extraordinaire!" (Houston, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Martin Fröst plays concertos dedicated to Benny Goodman (Audio CD)

This is the first recording i've heard of Martin Frost and I'm very impressed by his playing. His technique is wonderful (especially in the Arnold... the cadenza of which is incredible). His lyrical playing is equally well done.

The Malcom Arnold and Hindemith pieces are both very well done (granted, hearing this album was my first time to hear both of these pieces, but I listen to ALOT of clarinet music and I found nothing but good things to say about his performances). The Copland (which I am much more familiar with) is equally well done, with one small exception. At the very end, there are runs/smears and are amazingly effective when played w/ the proper enthusiasm but he kind of just gives up (or so it sounds). I realize this could have been an artistic decision, but to have a concerto that builds dramatically into this HUGE ending, then to finish on such a anti-climax was a little disappointing. It's still a worthwhile recording though. I highly recommend it!

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Even the best of them make mistakes..., April 30, 2004

By 

Bryan A. Crumpler (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martin Fröst plays concertos dedicated to Benny Goodman (Audio CD)

Some great cakes (i.e. compositions) were baked for Benny Goodman, and Martin definitely puts the Frost in their frosting! Fabulous playing... fabulous music... fabulous CD. Definitely a must have for any classical music lover - not just clarinetists.

Frost's Copland is beautifully delivered with a marvelous and rich quality of sound. The opening movement, though a bit on the slow side, is very fluid, well controlled, and expressive in a very personal sense of the word.

Stylistically speaking, I find the recording a bit stiff. The animated passages of the 2nd movement and the rag lack a little heart and soul that necessarily needs squeezing out of this work. The cadenza bridging the 1st and 2nd movements, however, was performed with a technical brilliance that is inspiring in all facets. It can be seen by some as a music letdown, however, considering the passages are somewhat cornered, crisply articulated, and almost robotic in delivery. I would not be suprised if this is attributable to the fact that this is a classically trained Sweed, who most likely was far removed from American culture at the time of the recording. This recording, however, remains one of my favorites.

As for the Hindemith, it's the best I've heard it in terms of color and musicality. The orchestral playing is very clean, and Martin gives a very polished performance. The ideas are very well rehearsed and delivered brilliantly.

To ease the skeptical bias, I must note that there are a series of minor entrance mistakes and erroneous notes throughout the conclusion of the Copland and parts of the Hindemith. Although undesired and inexemplary, these errors only show that classical musicians are human too, including Frost! Even the best of them make mistakes. Considering the greatness of Frost as a musician and clarinetist, this disc is actually a relief in that respect.

As for the Arnold, the horn flairs and pizzazz oozing from my speakers as well as the cadenza are undoubtedly the most dazzling I have ever heard for this piece. Shui definitely motivated the orchestra to "punch it" up for him in the Pre-Goodman Rag concluding this work. Their performance definitely adds much more flair to this rather simple work. As with Copland, the rag in the Arnold is also a bit hard and cornered, but the disc in general is one of the most exemplary of the Frost releases in his earlier career.

Overall, I give it 3.75 stars... 4 is close enough.