Richard Stoltzman, Lawrence Leighton Smith, The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra - Lutosławski, Nielsen, Prokofiev (1990)

Richard Stoltzman's Nielsen, Prokofiev and Lutospawski compilation is a fine achievement. He brings to the Nielsen Concerto both virtuosity and depth of characterisation. There may be other ways of presenting this complex musical character-study but hid fluency and broad expressive range are as impressive as any modern recorded account. The Warsaw Philharmonic under Lawrence Leighton Smith sound exceptionally well prepared. They lend a natural idiomatic pliancy to the Lutospawski Dance Preludes, where Stoltzman is perkiness personified, and make a fine foil for him in the Concerto.
Kent Kennan's orchestration of the Prokofiev Flute Sonata is also well worth hearing – indeed, well worth taking up by other clarinettists. This is a tactful and adroit arrangement for chamber orchestra. Stoltzman lavishes care on the solo part, making a persuasive case for the Scherzo as an allegretto scherzando rather than Prokofiev's suggested presto. His romanticised approach to the slow movement is less convincing, but his earthy characterisation of the finale is admirable.