Chamber Music for Clarinet, Soprano and Piano

Louis Spohr was one of the most famous composers in his time, a leading exponent of the emerging Romantic Movement. His works are firmly rooted in the Viennese classical tradition, but the overtly dramatic expression, the rich and sonorous orchestration and the substantial dimension of his compositions gained him the reputation as one of the first truly romantic composers.

Spohr composed extensively for the clarinet, a result of his friendship and creative partnership with Johann Hermstedt, court musician and one of the most acclaimed clarinetists of the period. On this new recording we hear the clarinet solo, accompanied by the piano, in two sets of "Theme and Variations" and a Potpourri on popular opera melodies, tuneful, brilliant and virtuoso music. The main work are the "6 Deutsche Lieder" for soprano, clarinet and piano, the same combination as Schubert's Der

Hirt auf dem Felsen, also sharing the pastoral and lyrical atmosphere of this song.

Performed by soprano Joanna Klisowska (who already recorded a splendid Castelnuovo-Tedesco CD for Brilliant Classics), clarinetist Rocco Parisi (who gave the world premiere of Berio's Sequenza for clarinet) and pianist Francesco Bissanti.