Eric Hoeprich, Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willen - Crusell: Clarinet Concertos (2006)

The three concerti on this disk are kind of ‘in between’. Bernard Crusell is not an unknown, many of his compositions having been recorded over the past decades, notably his clarinet concerti. However, music directors and concert managements usually prefer to schedule Mozart or Weber for the purpose of filling up the Hall. ‘Names’ are for public in general of overriding importance. Thus concert goers didn’t and still don’t get much chance to familiarize with Crusell.

We owe it to Willens (ARS Produktion and, not to forget, modern media development) that now not only confirmed music lovers, but also the younger generation can enjoy Crusell and, more important, in its original setting. And I stress: enjoy, because these are marvelous concerti, and I can’t resist playing them over and over again. The booklet giving ample information, suffice it to say that they are well constructed, wonderfully melodious, with charmingly lyrical, pre-romantic slow movements and with a fairly sizable dose of clarinet virtuosity in the outer movements. This is pleasure time at its best!

And all that is furthermore needed for complete perfection: an expert period clarinet soloist, a full complement band of competent musicians (7/5/3/3/2 strings, 1 flute, 2 each of oboes, bassoons, horns and trumpets, plus timpani, all on period instruments) and last but not least a chef who inspires and holds the lot harmoniously together. It’s all there, and I mustn’t forget to include ARS Produktion for its first rate multi-channel recording.

I did, of course, compare with Fröst/Gothenburg SO/Kamu, to come to the conclusion that both are incomparable. Two different worlds: Fröst is ‘now’, faultless, well-oiled with sophisticated, well rounded off orchestral support, whereas Hoeprich is ‘then’, with small ‘instruments d’époque’ forces, sounding straightforward, excitingly ‘unadorned’, impeccably played and with so very, very much presence.

For me, these treasures need no longer be forgotten. Warmly recommended. -- Adrian Quanjer