Carl-Maria von Weber: Concertos Nos. 1 & 2/Concertino

On this CD:

1. Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Op. 73 (J114)
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with Walter Boeykens

2. Concertino for clarinet & orchestra in E flat major, Op. 26 (J. 109)
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with Walter Boeykens

3. Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 74 (J118)
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with Walter Boeykens

Tracks:

Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Rondo - Allegretto
Concertino For Clarinet And Orchestra In E Flat Major, Op.26: Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Andante - Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Andante Con Moto
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Alla Polacca
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Allegro Con Fuego - Paul Meyer
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Andante Con Moto - Paul Meyer
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Rondo - Paul Meyer

Customer Reviews:

Pleasing interpretations at an excellent price.......2006-11-06

These are not overly flashy performances, just very musical. Boeykens is technically secure, and he makes these works sound easy. His musicality is genial, with dramatic touches as required. His performances naturally delineate the form of the music, while tastefully playing up its early Romantic emotional qualities. Easily the best bargain in Weber clarinet concerto recordings. My opinion of the Meyers performance of the Grand Duo is similar.

good.......2005-08-16

This CD is well recorded and the musicianship is excellent. The compositions seem to me good but not great. A nice listen and good price.

Good Basic Weber CD.......2004-09-06

Boeyken's rendition of the Weber pieces are very good. I may agree with a previous poster that the performances aren't spectacularly exciting. However, as a clarinetist I've played and heard these pieces performed so many times that it would be next to impossible to create a "ground-breaking" recording, no matter how hard the clarinetist tries. That being said, Boeyken's renditions are very pleasant and played with technical perfection. They will not disappoint.

I personally like Paul Meyer's rendition of Grand Duo Concertante. It is quite fast, so many passages that might be intricately phrased at a slower tempo are just torn through by Meyer, but if you are looking for a technically impressive performance, this will do.

At the price, this is a great CD, especially for someone wanting to hear the Concerti played in a conservative style. My favorite Weber Concerti is Sabine Meyer's on EMI (her interpretations are much more daring than Boeykens), so you might check that out also. Any music fan's CD library should have enough room for many renditions of these famous staples from the clarinet world.

Nothing special, but worth a look.......2004-06-16

Walter Boeykens does not have a stand-out, easy-to-identify tone, and does not play with an outward charm. But however, the performance is technically flawless and confidently played. James Conlon, one of the great American conductors today, leads the Rotterdam to a phenominal accompainment.
In the Concertante, Paul Meyer plays his typical fast rendition. Though he pulled it off, this recording of the concertante seems a bit sloppy and unattractive to me. Perhaps it is because this is one of Meyer's earlier recording jobs prior to hitting it big with Denon in the early 90's. Anyway, his tonguing, especially in movement 1 was not quite sharp, and he also takes a long annoying repeat that rarely shows on any other recordings (and for good reason, too!), as a result prolonging the length of the first movement to well over 7 minutes.

Still, this disc is well worth buying. At a measly 6.98 bucks, it contains a lot of music: 4 complete pieces including 2 concertos, a set of variations (the concertino), and the concertante which is really a sonata-like composition. All centerpieces of romantic era solo clarinet literature.

An absolute steal!.......2004-04-15

What you get for $6 is absolutely amazing! Walter Boeykens takes the Weber Clarinet Concerti to new heights. In particular, his playing during the alla polacca of the Concerto in E-flat Major is nothing short of supberb. It is the most effortless version of these pieces that I have ever heard. I am buying more of these for family members; it's probably the best-valued clarinet CD out there today.

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Concertino; Clarinet Quintet

Average customer rating:

Polished playing, but somewhat aloof
Sabine Meyer - Best clarinetist alive
Just okay
Meyer's Recordings are the Best!

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Concertino; Clarinet Quintet

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Sabine Meyer - A Night at the Opera
Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Grand Duo Concertante; Concertino

ASIN: B00008QSCT
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

I. Allegro (Cadenza - Heinrich Joseph Barmann)
II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
III. Rondo (Allegretto)
I. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
II. Andante
III. Allegro
I.Allegro
II. Romanza (Andante)
III. Alla Polacca
I. Allegro - Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn
II. Fantasia (Adagio Ma Non Troppo) - Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester
III. Menuetto (Capriccio Presto) & Trio - Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn
IV. Rondo (Allegro Giocoso) - Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn

Customer Reviews:

Polished playing, but somewhat aloof.......2006-11-06

For masterful clarinetistry and good taste, Ms. Meyer's Weber is first rate. My only issue is that she is often somewhat businesslike in her approach to the music. Weber was an early Romanticist, and much of his musical impetus comes from opera. Therefore, I would have liked to hear more Romantic expressiveness in these performances. Having said that, I still believe this recording is worth having, especially for clarinetists.

Sabine Meyer - Best clarinetist alive.......2006-06-18

She has evrything, extrordinary technique, fabulous intonation, inovative musical ideas that are all her own, and a beautiful, clear, clean, german tone that we all seem to strive for. What more could you ask for?

I saw her perform Mozart's clarinet quintet with the tokyo string quartet last Januery. The performance was unparalled. There was not one squeake, crack, or flaw in the technique, the interpratation was very fresh and new, and the exitment and spontaneity was never lost, even in the most carefully planed out passages.

This CD of Weber's clarinet works is absolutly definitive. These peices are performed so often nowadays that it is hard to give an original interpretation. Most recent recordings sound dry, over practiced, and cautious to the point where one recording sounds hardly different from the next.

The case is quite the contrary with this recording. Ms. Meyer makes each one of these warhorses sound so fresh and vital. The fast movements are played with much flare, drama, and enthusiasm. She tends to rush the ends passages before an orchestral tutti, but the effect just adds to the exicitment, you get the feeling of listening in a live performance. After all, there is nothing in the music that says not to rush, and each one is entitled to his own interpretation. In the slower movments she takes time to showcase her silvery tone and lyrical playing. The second movment of the the second concerto is *sung* as if it were from one of Weber's operas.

This recording belongs in every music lover's library. Very rarely do you hear a soloist play on the level of Ms. Meyer.

Just okay.......2006-05-28

While her technical proficiency is obvious, I don't enjoy the rampant rushing involved on almost every track of this cd. Overall, I will allow my students to listen to this cd once for an idea of the piece, but I would never allow them to study this recording in depth.

Meyer's Recordings are the Best!.......2006-03-13

I am a clarinet student at the CSULB College of the Arts and was referred to this recording by my private clarinet instructor. Meyer's interpretation and execution of the Weber Clarinet Concertos, Concertinos and Quintet are, by far, the most musical and advanced performances I have ever heard. Meyer's sheer technique is something to marvel at. Although she plays in the German school and performs on a German set-up, it gives those who plan to perform this piece a fabulous rendition to emulate. I couldn't be happier with this purchase, and though it is one of the more expensive recordings of the Weber Concertos, it is worth EVERY PENNY. An invaluable addition to any musical recording library.

Weber: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Polacca Brillante; Konzertstück

Average customer rating:

Very Good Weber at Great Price
Could be better

Weber: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Polacca Brillante; Konzertstück

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Weber: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2
Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Grand Duo Concertante; Concertino
Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos

ASIN: B000001418
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Allegro
Adagio
Presto
Allegro Maestoso
Adagio
Rondo: Presto
Polacca Brilliante (L'hilarite), Op. 72
Konzertstuck In F Minor Op. 79

Customer Reviews:

Very Good Weber at Great Price.......2007-03-08

Carl Maria von Weber gave the first performance of his Opus 11 Concerto in C Major on 19 November 1810 in Mannheim. This work provides a connection between Mozart and Beethoven and those who followed as Classical eventually gave way to Romantic. There are considerable technical demands made on any pianist who attempt to play Weber's piano works. This was because Weber's hands had a particularly wider stretch than most. The soloist on this recording is Benjamin Frith, who seems to be up to the challenge. Weber's Piano Concerto No. 2 in E flat was completed in 1812, with the first performance given by the composer on 17 December. He started on a 3rd concerto in 1815, which turned out to be just a single movement Konzertstuck (Concert-Piece) in F minor, Op. 79. It was completed in 1821. Gramophone magazine's review stated that "The Konzertstuck goes very well, with plenty of colour in the phrasing and a lively orchestral accompaniment to match." The very challenging arpeggios and other heavy demands are expertly dispatched by the soloist Frith. The Penguin Guide states that Frith "receives splendid support from (conductor) O'Duinn and the excellent Dublin Sinfonietta...(the Konzertstuck is particularly fine)". As a nice bonus Naxos adds Weber's solo piano work, the Polacca Brillante, that was transcribed by Franz Liszt for piano and orchestra. Liszt uses as an introduction to this work part of Weber's earlier Grande Polonaise. All in all, this CD is very well recorded, if a little heavy on the timpani. This is contrary to the anonymous reviewer below. Although perhaps not quite up to Steven Hough's full-priced recording on Hyperion, this budget price release on the highly-respected Naxos label is an attractive alternative.

Could be better.......2002-09-29

This CD is a poor peformance of some wonderful music. The sound quality is bad, and the rendition second rate. The wonderful piano music of Weber deserves better. The Konzertstuk, alone, is worth listening to.

Carl Maria von Weber: Concertos for Clarinet and Orchestra Nos. 1-2; etc.

Average customer rating:

Well played Clarinet Music

Carl Maria von Weber: Concertos for Clarinet and Orchestra Nos. 1-2; etc.

Manufacturer: Arts Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas & Trio [Hybrid SACD]
French Portraits

ASIN: B00027Y5FC
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Customer Reviews:

Well played Clarinet Music.......2005-08-05

Alessandro Carbonare is one the best living clarinet players. When hearing his works, the most noticeable thing you hear is his beautiful tone. His playing flows seamlessly and his interpretation is among the best there is. Combine this with Weber's clarinet works and you have a very good CD. I highly recommend this and all other CDs by Carbonare.

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Grand Duo Concertant

Average customer rating:

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Grand Duo Concertant
Kam , Golan , Masur , and Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Manufacturer: Elatus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006I4BM
Release Date: 2006-05-19

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto No.1 In F Minor, Op.73 (J114)
Clarinet Concerto No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74 (J118)
Grand Duo Concertant For Piano And Clarinet, Op.48 (J204)

Average customer rating:

Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Concertino; Clarinet Quintet

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000379H
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 73: Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 73: Adagio ma non troppo
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 73: Rondo (Allegretto)
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E-Flat Major, Op. 74: Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E-Flat Major, Op. 74: Andante con moto
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E-Flat Major, Op. 74: Alla Polacca
Concertino For Clarinet & Orchestra, Op. 26: Adagio ma non troppo
Concertino For Clarinet & Orchestra, Op. 26: Andante
Concertino For Clarinet & Orchestra, Op. 26: Allegro
Clarinet Quintet In B-Flat Major, Op. 34: Allegro
Clarinet Quintet In B-Flat Major, Op. 34: Fantasia (Adagio)
Clarinet Quintet In B-Flat Major, Op. 34: Menuetto
Clarinet Quintet In B-Flat Major, Op. 34: Rondo (Allegro)

Carl Maria von Weber: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Concert Piece for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 79 - Peter Rösel / Herbert Blomstedt / Staatskapelle Dresden

Average customer rating:

Carl Maria von Weber: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Concert Piece for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 79 - Peter Rösel / Herbert Blomstedt / Staatskapelle Dresden
Carl Maria von Weber (Composer) , Peter Rösel (Piano) , Herbert Blomstedt (Conductor) , and Staatskapelle Dresden
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000DNJK
Release Date: 1990-10-25