Various Composers - British Clarinet Sonatas, Vol. 2 (Michael Collins; Michael McHale)

Information

• (01) Malcolm Arnold - Clarinet Sonatina in G minor, Op. 29
• (04) Arnold Cooke - Clarinet Sonata in B flat major
• (08) Edward Gregson - Tributes
• (13) Arthur Benjamin - Le Tombeau de Ravel
• (14) Joseph Horovitz - Clarinet Sonatina in B flat major

Michael Collins, clarinet

Michael McHale, piano

Date: 2013

Label: Chandos

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%2010758

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Review

More clarinet sonatas from Collins and McHale

This is a delightful disc, not just through the warmth and fun of the five works by five composers, but through the magic of the great clarinettist Michael Collins. I remember first hearing him when he was still a teenage student and already that magic was clear in the individual subtlety with which he shaded phrases and dynamics, even rivalling the artistry of his teacher, Thea King.

It is good that he is being given the freedom to choose his repertory imaginatively as here. Malcolm Arnold’s Sonatina, an early work, is characteristic in the jazzy energy of the outer movements and the heart-easing lyricism of the central slow movement. Arnold Cooke’s Sonata is on a much larger scale, in four movements, with the first and third warmly lyrical if not very memorably so, and attractive syncopations in the second and fourth, with delicious repeated notes in the jaunty finale.

Tributes by Edward Gregson consists of five charming, well-contrasted miniatures, ending with a chirpy finale which again gives Collins the chance to demonstrate his agility in playing rapidly repeated notes. Arthur Benjamin’s Le tombeau de Ravel is a substantial single movement described as ‘valse-caprices’, starting with fluttering figures and ending with an unashamed echo of the climax of La valse.

Lastly, rounding the sequence off brilliantly, comes the Sonatina of Joseph Horovitz, beautifully written for the instrument. The slow movement inspires Collins to play with the widest range of tone and dynamic, while the finale erupts in pure jollity, perfect fun music with Collins and his fine pianist, Michael McHale, enjoying themselves hugely. Excellent, well-balanced sound recorded in the helpful acoustic of Potton Hall, Suffolk.

-- Edward Greenfield, Gramophone

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/June13/British_clarinet_v2_CHAN10758.htm

https://www.classical-music.com/reviews/chamber/british-clarinet-sonatas-vol-2/

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/british-clarinet-sonatas-vol-2-1.1334096

https://www.allmusic.com/album/british-clarinet-sonatas-vol-2-benjamin-cooke-arnold-horovitz-gregson-mw0002486572

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Michael Collins (born 27 January 1962) is a British clarinetist, one of the most successful wind players of his generation. At the age of sixteen he won the woodwind prize in the first BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition, and at twenty-two made his American debut at Carnegie Hall, New York. Since then he has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s major orchestras and most renowned conductors. Collins is also in demand as a chamber musician, regularly performing with such artists as Martha Argerich, Stephen Hough, Mikhail Pletnev, Lars Vogt, Joshua Bell, Steven Isserlis and Isabelle van Keulen.

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/a.asp?a=A44

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Michael McHale (born 1983 in Belfast) is one of Ireland’s leading pianists. Since completing his studies at Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music, he has developed a busy international career as a recitalist, soloist and chamber musician. He has performed at many important musical centres including Suntory Hall, Tokyo; Lincoln Center, New York; Wigmore Hall, London; Konzerthaus, Berlin; Pesti Vigadó, Budapest, and the Ushuaia, Chopiniana and Tanglewood Festivals. His chamber music partners include James Galway, Michael Collins, Patricia Rozario, Camerata Pacifica and the Vogler Quartet.

https://www.naxos.com/person/Michael_McHale/136169.htm

https://www.michaelmchale.com/

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