Concerto No. 1 in F Minor op. 73 / Concerto No. 3 in B-flat Major

No composer likes to write music without feeling that an artist exists both capable of, and willing to, play it to good advantage. When Carl Maria von Weber met Heinrich Joseph Baermann, one of the greatest clarinetists of the early nineteenth century, he delightedly began writing all sorts of work for him, including several chamber pieces and the two famous clarinet concerti.

In his F-minor Concerto No. 1, it is clear that Weber knew the virtuosity of his player-he makes the soloist range over the entire compass of his instrument, and such quiet moments as do occur are invariably surrounded by runs, leaps and passagework of the utmost brilliance. A fantastic concerto. Also in this edition is Carl Stamitz's lovely B-flat-major concerto, a most beautiful Classical-era work.

Includes a printed solo part for B-flat clarinet and two compact discs containing a complete version with soloist, in digitally remastered stereo; then a second version of the orchestral accompaniment, minus the soloist; and a -20% slow-tempo version of the accompaniments for practice purposes.

• Performed by Keith Dwyer, clarinet
• Accompaniment: Stuttgart Festival Orchestra
• Conductor: Emil Kahn