Crusell: Clarinet Concertos (Diary 2017-05-05)

The three clarinet concertos (E♭ major, op.1; F minor, op.5; B♭ major, op.11) by Bernhard Henrik Crusell (1775 – 1838), in two recordings: Emma Johnson (RPO and ECO, various conductors, 1986 – 1991), and the 2008 recording with Martin Fröst (Okko Kamu, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra)

Faust, Blendulf / ZKO — Zurich, 2015-02-03

… it was fascinating to observe how the violin remained audible, kept a clear presence even through minimal, light movements of the bow (…)
In the subsequent Larghetto, the soloist enchanted the audience with the most intimate, whispering tones, played almost sul ponticello, with minute, discreet movements of the bow, merely a hint, but always present, down to the softest ppp and below — one could almost sense the audience holding breath, totally captured by this playing.