Customer Reviews

Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, etc / Academy Chamber Ensemble

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Of all the classical discs in my collection, this is the one that I reach for when I am looking for some guaranteed musical bliss. There is a quintessential serenity about Antony Pay's performance of the Clarinet Quintet that defies any kind of criticism. Also included on this generous disc is the enchanting Horn Quintet, given an ebullient account by Timothy Brown. The last work is the Oboe Quartet, deliciously performed by Neil Black. In fact all the performers communicate a great love of this music. This is nearly 70 minutes of musical heaven, a heaven that deepens with repeated listenings.

In my opinion the clarinet quintet is one of Mozart's best chamber works. I am familiar with two other versions and this is the best of the three not so much for the strings - which are beautiful here - but for the wonderful tone in Antony Pay's clarinet. It is deeper and richer than that of the players in the other versions. Specifically I recently purchased Talich on Calliope records as part of their string quintets collection and while the string tone on that recording is wonderful the clarinet pales beside Pay's.
The other two pieces here are also quite enjoyable but do not rise above the general run of Mozart's generally good chamber works.
The sound is good.

Anthony Pay's rendition of the Mozart Quintet is one for the ages. A flawless performance well worthy for the title of being the reference benchmark recording of the piece.

The quintet, a beautiful piece itself indeed, is played here with an incredible warm tone brought forth by not only Mr. Pay but the string quartet as well, led by violinist Iona Brown.

The other unforgettable recording of this piece out there, Dave Shifirin's rendition, is also a classic, but a completely different rendition than Pay's. The preference over which performance is better is completely up to the tastes of the listener. Sihirin's version is more clear, where this one is, as I have already said, more warmer.

These are beautiful pieces that are beautifully played. They will be familiar to most listeners but it is a pleasure to hear them again.