Michael Collins & Michael McHale – English Music for Clarinet (2024)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:06:15 minutes | 2,26 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © BIS
Together with pianist Michael McHale, Michael Collins continues his exploration of the chamber repertoire for clarinet, turning to British music with this recital covering a hundred years of music for clarinet and piano which reflects the special relationship between English composers and this instrument. The earliest works on this recording are the Three Intermezzi and the Sonata by Charles Villiers Stanford, who made no secret of his debt to Brahms. As with his Viennese counterpart, Stanford’s music is poised yet seductive and, in this case, beautifully conceived for both instruments. Known for the strength of his vocal music, Gerald Finzi also makes the clarinet sing in his Five Bagatelles composed during the Second World War. Light and touching, they appear as a personal reinterpretation of the baroque dances found in Bach’s instrumental suites. Not surprisingly, Malcolm Arnold’s Sonatina has always been popular with clarinettists, with its energy and its nods to jazz and dance music. Last but not least, Joseph Horovitz, the last composer in chronological order, is represented by his Two Majorcan Pieces and his Sonatina. Once again, the music is playful and makes an excellent showcase for the clarinet.
Tracklist:
01. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Arnold: Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 29: I. Allegro con brio (02:45)
02. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Arnold: Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 29: II. Andantino (03:04)
03. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Arnold: Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 29: III. Furioso (02:18)
04. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Horovitz: Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano: I. Allegro calmato (04:58)
05. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Horovitz: Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano: II. Lento, quasi andante (04:07)
06. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Horovitz: Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano: III. Con brio (03:41)
07. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Stanford: Three Intermezzi, Op. 13: I. Andante espressivo (03:34)
08. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Stanford: Three Intermezzi, Op. 13: II. Allegro agitato (02:32)
09. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Stanford: Three Intermezzi, Op. 13: III. Allegretto scherzando (02:43)
10. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Finzi: Five Bagatelles, Op. 23: I. Prelude (03:33)
11. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Finzi: Five Bagatelles, Op. 23: II. Romance (04:24)
12. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Finzi: Five Bagatelles, Op. 23: III. Carol (01:58)
13. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Finzi: Five Bagatelles, Op. 23: IV. Forlana (02:30)
14. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Finzi: Five Bagatelles, Op. 23: V. Fughetta (02:02)
15. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Stanford: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 129: I. Allegro moderato (07:16)
16. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Stanford: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 129: II. Caoine (05:49)
17. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Stanford: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 129: III. Allegretto grazioso (05:22)
18. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Horovitz: Two Majorcan Pieces: I. Paguera (02:15)
19. Michael Collins & Michael McHale – Horovitz: Two Majorcan Pieces: II. Valdemosa (01:19)
