CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET •

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 1 02/07/2018 12:51 in B flat Major, Op. 34, J. 182 Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) 1 I. Allegro [10.16] 2 II. Fantasia - Adagio ma non troppo [5.15] 3 III. Minuetto Capriccio - Presto [5.14] 4 IV. Rondo - Allegro giocoso [6.13]

Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) 5 I. Allegro [9.20] 6 II. Larghetto [6.21] 7 III. Menuetto - Trio I - Trio II [6.57] 8 IV. Allegretto con Variazioni [9.15]

Total Timings [58.53]

JULIAN BLISS clarinet CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET 2 3

03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 2 02/07/2018 12:51 hroughout every of his opera La Clemenza di Tito period of musical includes a obbligato Thistory the artistry of also composed for Stadler.) About outstanding singers 20 years later Weber began a or instrumentalists has inspired succession of six clarinet works many composers to write works directly resulted from his friendship with their individual characteristics with Heinrich Baermann, generally – technical prowess, tonal quality, regarded as the finest clarinettist of imaginative range – in mind. his time. (Around 1890 Brahms – Within a period of about 25 years having announced his retirement – between about 1790 and 1815 – from composing – would further the clarinet repertoire in particular enhance the repertoire after being was enriched by two major inspired by the playing of Richard composers – Mozart and Weber Mühlfeld. His creative energies – who each wrote a succession of revitalised, he composed a quintet, a works which remain pre-eminent trio and two sonatas for Mühlfeld.) in their respective genres. The close friendship between Weber Towards the end of his life Mozart and Baermann developed from wrote a concerto, quintet and trio their second meeting, in Munich for his close friend Anton Stadler. in 1811. Preparing a concert of his (The aria ‘Parto, parto’ in Act One own works, Weber quickly wrote

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 3 02/07/2018 12:51 his Concertino for Baermann to ten keys, made by Griessling and play on this occasion. Baermann Schott. New possibilities included had recently been engaged as greater facility in chromatic scales. principal clarinet in the Munich Weber’s quintet is virtually a mini- court orchestra of King Maximilian concerto, the clarinet being more I. The king was so impressed consistently soloistic and dominant with his performance of Weber’s than the strings. In all his clarinet Concertino that he immediately works Weber demands considerable commissioned the composer to virtuosity, but this is never at the write two clarinet concertos, both expense of the essentially poetic of which were completed in 1811. character of the music. Weber’s Weber wrote three other works vocal style, which he developed in for Baermann – a quintet and two his five surviving operas, clearly pieces for clarinet and piano: the influenced his clarinet-writing. Grand Duo Concertant and a set Even in the rapid passage-work in of variations. 1811 was also the the outer movements of the quintet, year in which he began his Clarinet lyricism and elegance prevail, while Quintet in B flat Major, though wit – as in Paganini’s violin music the piece was not finally completed – is another attractive feature. until 1815. Just before meeting Weber’s affinity with the clarinet is Weber, Baermann had acquired obvious in his superbly idiomatic a new, improved clarinet with writing for the instrument. His Der

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 4 02/07/2018 12:51 Freischutz is usually described as the main theme (in F major) takes the first German Romantic opera, but form of a brief dialogue between Weber’s status as a pioneering figure cello and clarinet. Between the two of the Romantic period also derives themes the strings introduce a more from his colourful and imaginative assertive idea (fortissimo), answered orchestration. His treatment of by more poetic clarinet phrases. both the horn and the clarinet There is much attractive and florid within the orchestra imbued these passage-work for the clarinet – instruments with a new and potent chromatic scales both descending romanticism. and ascending, and some extremely wide leaps between the extremes of The Clarinet Quintet begins with its range. The development section, a disarmingly simple theme for the which includes a new clarinet strings, the repeat of which is joined melody, is unpredictable and by the clarinet’s undemonstrative surprisingly strenuous, before the pianissimo entry. Weber learnt cello provides an elegant lead-back from Mozart and Beethoven that to a recapitulation which proves to a soloist’s entrance may be equally be a creative reworking. Here Weber effective when unobtrusive. A redistributes much of his material, crescendo blossoms into a lyrical while his continuing development melody characterised by jaunty of the assertive idea involves robust dotted rhythm, whereas the second imitative writing. With simple

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 5 02/07/2018 12:51 understatement, Weber belatedly heading, though the trio section is recalls the clarinet’s first entrance, much more sustained and relaxed. before an emphatic final cadence. The light-hearted rondo finale begins with a rhythmic pattern The Fantasia slow movement, established by the strings and a an extended aria for the clarinet perky melody on the clarinet. In above a mostly unobtrusive the subsequent contrasting episodes accompaniment, begins with a Weber introduces two lyrical fine example of Weber’s skill in themes, but most of the movement creating an evocative atmosphere is dependent on the clarinettist’s with economy of means. Twice the agility. In line with contemporary serene mood is punctuated by long fashion, the most technically chromatic scales for the clarinet – demanding writing is reserved for fortissimo, then a ghostly pianissimo the final section – clearly aimed at echo, incidentally demonstrating stimulating maximum applause, Baermann’s celebrated dynamic but without descending into empty range. display.

For the mercurial and witty third Completed in September 1789, movement Weber again clearly Mozart’s Quintet in A Major, indicates the character of the music K. 581 was the second of the with the term capriccio in the three major works which he

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 6 02/07/2018 12:51 composed for Anton Stadler, the number of performers play these others being the Trio for clarinet, two works on reconstructions viola and piano, K. 498 and the of the extended instrument, the , K. 622. A orthodox clarinet remains the more contemporary wrote of Stadler’s commonly used. playing: “I have never heard the like of what you contrive with your The spacious Allegro first movement instrument. Never should I have has a wealth of melodic material, thought that a clarinet could be and although all the themes are capable of imitating a human voice lyrical in character, there is no lack so deceptively … Indeed, your of contrast. Notably, most of the instrument has so soft and so lovely melodic material of this movement a tone that nobody who has a heart is first introduced by the strings. can resist it.” Stadler had recently A suave opening melody for the developed a slightly extended quartet is answered in bars 7-8 by the lower range with four additional clarinet (an upward arpeggio then notes, creating the so-called basset- descending groups of semiquavers), clarinet. It soon became obsolete, but the most poignant theme is but this was the instrument for the one introduced by the first which Mozart originally composed violin with pizzicato cello, before his concerto and probably the being expanded by the clarinet quintet. Although an increasing above gentle syncopation. In the

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 7 02/07/2018 12:51 development section the clarinet violins and viola and a well- phrase from bars 7-8 is taken up defined cello line. From bar 20 by each of the strings successively a dialogue unfolds between first in the most animated passage in the violin and clarinet – the same movement. In the recapitulation kind of eloquent exchange which Mozart introduces many develops between solo violin and modifications in the restatement solo viola in the slow movements of his original material. In the very of the Sinfonia Concertante K. 364 first theme, for instance, the roles and the C major String Quintet are exchanged: the clarinet now K. 515. In this exquisite central plays the melody line, the first part of the movement ascending violin the answering phrase. At the scales are a recurring feature above return of the flowing second theme, gentle suspensions. In the return the clarinet restates as before, but of the material from the opening then develops in a new direction. section Mozart adds more elaborate melodic decoration, until viola The sublime Larghetto, in which and cello respectively take over the the violins play with mutes, is even triplet patterns for the final bars. lovelier than its counterpart in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. The In the amiable Minuet, in which clarinet melody is accompanied the five players are treated equally, by gently rocking quavers in forte and piano phrases alternate.

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 8 02/07/2018 12:51 Unusually, there are two trio in the second and third variations sections, strikingly contrasted. the clarinet contributes very little. The first, in A minor, has a violin Variation 2 has a first violin melody melody of poignant melancholy, accompanied by triplets on second while the clarinet is silent; the violin and viola throughout. second, more rustic trio (in A Variation 3 is an eloquent lament major) is in the style of a ländler, an in A minor for the viola, Mozart’s Austrian country-dance. own favourite instrument when playing . This The jaunty theme of the finale gives soul-searching is dispelled by rise to variations encompassing a the brilliance of Variation 4, wide range of moods. In Variation with joyous semiquaver passages 1 Mozart exploits the clarinet’s played alternately by clarinet and characteristic ease in moving first violin. Following a serene, quickly between high and very meditative Adagio, the work ends low notes, here leaping across two with a cheerful Allegro. octaves. Whereas in a concerto the traditional orchestral passages © Philip Borg-Wheeler, 2018. naturally allow the soloist some necessary breathing space, this same relief must be more carefully managed in a chamber work. Thus

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 9 02/07/2018 12:51 JULIAN BLISS

Julian Bliss is one of the world’s finest clarinettists excelling as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, jazz artist, masterclass leader and tireless musical explorer. He has inspired a generation of young players as guest lecturer and creator of his Conn-Selmer range of affordable , and introduced a substantial new audience to his instrument.

Born in the UK, Julian started playing the clarinet age 4, going on to study in the USA at the University of Indiana and in Germany under . The breadth and depth of his artistry are reflected in the diversity and distinction of his work.

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 10 02/07/2018 12:51 In recital and chamber music he has Scott’s (London), the Concertgebouw played at most of the world’s leading (Amsterdam) and across the U.S. festivals and venues including Gstaad, Mecklenburg Vorpommern, Verbier, Album releases receiving rave reviews (London) and Lincoln from critics, album of the week spots and Center (New York). media attention, include his recording of Mozart and Nielsen’s Concertos with As soloist, he has appeared with a wide the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Recent range of international orchestras, from chamber discs include a new piece for the São Paulo Symphony, Chamber clarinet & string quartet by David Bruce Orchestra of Paris, and Auckland – Gumboots – inspired by the gumboot Philharmonia, to the BBC Philharmonic dancing of miners in South Africa and Orchestra, London Philharmonic and a recital album of Russian and French Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. composers with American pianist, Bradley Moore. In 2012 he established the Julian Bliss Septet, creating programmes inspired Recent highlights include an exciting by King of Swing, Benny Goodman, new concerto by Wayne Shorter, with and Latin music from Brazil and Cuba the Argovia Philharmonic, an extensive that have gone on to be performed USA tour with his septet, and chamber to packed houses in festivals, Ronnie concerts with the Carducci Quartet.

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 11 02/07/2018 12:51 12 © Tom Barnes 13

03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 12 02/07/2018 12:51 CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET Matthew Denton and Michelle Fleming violins Eoin Schmidt-Martin viola Emma Denton cello

Described by The Strad as presenting Denton (cello), the ensemble has won “a masterclass in unanimity of musical numerous international competitions, purpose, in which severity could melt including the Concert Artists Guild seamlessly into charm, and drama into International Competition, and First geniality”, the award winning Carducci Prize at Finland’s Kuhmo International Quartet is internationally acclaimed Chamber Music Competition. In 2016, as one of the most accomplished and they took home a Royal Philharmonic versatile ensembles of today. Not only Society Award for their project, mastering the core repertoire, the quartet Shostakovich15, an immense cycle of is presenting each season a selection of Shostakovich’s Quartets performed new works and diversifying further with across the UK, North and South America programmes of film music, pop and rock. with a marathon one day cycle hosted Founded in 1997 by Matthew Denton by Shakespeare’s Globe, London. The (violin), Michelle Fleming (violin), Eoin project was accompanied by a recording Schmidt-Martin (viola), and Emma of the 4th, 8th, and 11th Quartets: their

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 13 02/07/2018 12:51 second disc for Signum Classics, and was to Canada, Italy, France, Spain and recognised by BBC Music Magazine as Germany and return to the studio to “a fine achievement, boasting excellent record a second Shostakovich disc. ensemble, musical insight and sensitive attention to detail”. Recent collaborations include projects with pianists Denis Kozhukhin and The Carducci Quartet has appeared Martin Roscoe, guitarist Craig Ogden, at prestigious venues across the globe oboist Nicholas Daniel, clarinettists including the Wigmore Hall, London; Julian Bliss and Emma Johnson, cellists National Concert Hall, Dublin; Tivoli Benedict Kloeckner and Guy Johnston Concert Hall, Copenhagen; The Frick and acclaimed folk-rock icon Ian Collection and Carnegie Hall, New Anderson of Jethro Tull. York, Library of Congress and John F. Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., St Highly celebrated for their interpretation Lawrence Center for the Arts, Toronto, of contemporary repertoire, the Carducci and Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. Quartet has curated many diverse projects Festival residencies include Cheltenham, and is regularly invited to perform new Ryedale, Lichfield, Presteigne, Kilkenny works. Recent and upcoming premieres and West Cork. 2018 saw the quartet include works by Simon Rowland-Jones, perform complete cycles of the Bartok Gavin Higgins, Kemal Yusuf and Kate Quartets at Kings Place in London, Whitley. In 2015 they curated projects Gloucestershire and Oxford. They tour around Philip Glass and Steve Reich, as

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 14 02/07/2018 12:51 part of the Royal Philharmonic Society Education work is an important element Award winning Minimalism Unwrapped of the Carducci Quartet’s work, earning at Kings Place in London, their recording them a place on the Royal Philharmonic of the Philip Glass Quartets, for Naxos, Society Award shortlist for their family has reached over 6 million plays on concert ‘Getting the Quartet Bug!’. Spotify. More recently they released an The Carducci Music Trust was set up to acclaimed recording of David Bruce’s support their work in schools and with clarinet quintet Gumboots with Julian young musicians. They also perform a Bliss, for Signum Classics. number of school concerts each year supported by the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust.

© Andy Holdsworth Photography

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 15 02/07/2018 12:51 Recorded in Wyastone Concert Hall, Any unauthorised broadcasting, public Wyastone Leys, Monmouth from 12-14 performance, copying or re-recording of October 2017. Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will render the Producer & Editor: Nicholas Parker infringer liable to an action by law. Licences Recording Engineer: Mike Hatch for public performances or broadcasting may Booklet & Artwork Design: Marcus Batley, be obtained from Phonographic Performance www.dbmasters.co.uk Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a ℗ 2018 The copyright in this recording is retrieval system, or transmitted in any form owned by Signum Records Ltd. or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, © 2018 The copyright in this CD booklet, without prior permission from Signum notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd. Records Ltd. Signum Records Ltd. Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road Perivale, Middlesex UB6 7LQ, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] web: www.signumrecords.com

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03354 JC 16pp Carducci String Quartet & Julian Bliss – Mozart & Weber.indd 16 02/07/2018 12:51