Various Composers - British Clarinet Sonatas, Vol. 2 (Michael Collins; Michael McHale)

Information

• Malcolm Arnold - Clarinet Sonatina in G minor, Op. 29
• Arnold Cooke - Clarinet Sonata in B flat major
• Edward Gregson - Tributes
• Arthur Benjamin - Le Tombeau de Ravel
• Joseph Horovitz - Clarinet Sonatina in B flat major

Michael Collins, clarinet

Michael McHale, piano

Date: 2013

Label: Chandos

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%2010758

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Review

More clarinet sonatas from Collins and McHale

This is a delightful disc, not just through the warmth and fun of the five works by five composers, but through the magic of the great clarinettist Michael Collins. I remember first hearing him when he was still a teenage student and already that magic was clear in the individual subtlety with which he shaded phrases and dynamics, even rivalling the artistry of his teacher, Thea King.

It is good that he is being given the freedom to choose his repertory imaginatively as here. Malcolm Arnold’s Sonatina, an early work, is characteristic in the jazzy energy of the outer movements and the heart-easing lyricism of the central slow movement. Arnold Cooke’s Sonata is on a much larger scale, in four movements, with the first and third warmly lyrical if not very memorably so, and attractive syncopations in the second and fourth, with delicious repeated notes in the jaunty finale.

Tributes by Edward Gregson consists of five charming, well-contrasted miniatures, ending with a chirpy finale which again gives Collins the chance to demonstrate his agility in playing rapidly repeated notes. Arthur Benjamin’s Le tombeau de Ravel is a substantial single movement described as ‘valse-caprices’, starting with fluttering figures and ending with an unashamed echo of the climax of La valse.

Lastly, rounding the sequence off brilliantly, comes the Sonatina of Joseph Horovitz, beautifully written for the instrument. The slow movement inspires Collins to play with the widest range of tone and dynamic, while the finale erupts in pure jollity, perfect fun music with Collins and his fine pianist, Michael McHale, enjoying themselves hugely. Excellent, well-balanced sound recorded in the helpful acoustic of Potton Hall, Suffolk.

-- Edward Greenfield, Gramophone

More reviews:

https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/June13/British_clarinet_v2_CHAN10758.htm

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/british-clarinet-sonatas-vol-2-1.1334096

https://www.allmusic.com/album/british-clarinet-sonatas-vol-2-benjamin-cooke-arnold-horovitz-gregson-mw0002486572

https://www.amazon.com/British-Clarinet-Sonatas-Vol-2/dp/B00B5UBCV0

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Michael Collins (born 27 January 1962 in Isleworth, West London) is a British clarinetist and conductor. He clarinet at the Royal College of Music under David Hamilton and Thea King. At the age of 16, he won the 1978 BBC Young Musician woodwind prize. Collins has served as the principal clarinet of several orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra (1987–95) and London Sinfonietta. He also performs as a soloist and as part of chamber ensembles. As a conductor, e has served as the principal conductor of the City of London Sinfonia (2010–18) and the London Mozart Players (2021–23).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Collins_(clarinetist)

http://www.michael-collins.co.uk/

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Belfast-born Michael McHale is one of Ireland’s leading pianists. He studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music, and his teachers and mentors include John O'Conor, Réamonn Keary, Christopher Elton, Ronan O'Hora and Barry Douglas. McHale has performed and recorded as a soloist with the Minnesota and Hallé Orchestras, the Moscow, Bournemouth, Jacksonville, Fort Smith, BBC and London Symphony Orchestras, City of London Sinfonia, London Mozart Players and all five major Irish orchestras. He is a founding member of the Wigmore Soloists.

https://www.michaelmchale.com/

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