Bernhard Henrik Crusell

Chandos signed Karen Geoghegan as an exclusive artist in 2007 following her wonderful performances on the BBC TV ‘Classical Star’ programme. This is her fourth recording with the label, following her CD of works by Hummel, Weber, Berwald, Jacobi, Elgar and Gershwin, her CD of French music for bassoon and piano, and her contribution, in the Suite-Concertino in F major, to Noseda’s Wolf-Ferrari CD. All of these received much acclaim, and the expressive maturity and sensitivity of her playing have quickly cemented her status as a rising star:

‘Name five internationally famous bassoon soloists. Archie Camden, Gwydion Brooke and, er, that’s it. Except I think we shall soon be adding the name of Karen Geoghegan to the roll call…’ Gramophone

Finnish-born composer Bernhard Hendrik Crusell (1775-1838) became famous as one of the greatest clarinet virtuosos of his time, playing both his own compositions and those of contemporaries Krommer, Mozart, Beethoven and Lebrun. He was said to have had a beautiful cantabile tone and a particularly soft pianissimo. He spent most of his life in Sweden, and was considered to be the most important Swedish composer of Beethoven’s age.

Naturally, Crusell is especially renowned for his clarinet compositions, notably the three delightful concertos and the three clarinet quartets. His elegant, thematically rich style, of great charm and technical skill, was influenced by Mozart, Beethoven and some of his French contemporaries, blending Viennese classicism with elements of French opera.The Clarinet Concert No.2 in F minor is generally considered the finest of the concertos, and perhaps Crusell’s greatest work in any form. The finely-worked out first movement has dazzling virtuoso passages, but also a quality of drama and poignancy that relates more to the dawning Romantic period than the waning Classical era.

The clarinet concertos are perhaps less demanding for the performers, but are equally charming. In all three works the clarinet is the principal instrument, with the violin, viola and cello providing accompaniment. Of particular note is the Quartet No.2 in C minor, the only minor-key work among the quartets, which shows Crusell’s melodic invention at its most restrained and subdued, and the bravura clarinet writing of the Quartet No.3 in D. Internationally acclaimed clarinet soloist Emma Johnson gives sparkling performances of Crusell’s clarinet concertos, with the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Schwarz. Renowned Dutch clarinettist Henk de Graaf performs the clarinet quartets, with members of the Daniel String Quartet: Misha Furman (violin), Itamar Shimon (viola) and Joanna Pachucka (cello).

Emma Johnson is “Britain’s Favourite Clarinettist” (The Times).

On the occasion of its 25th anniversary in 2010, Ondine releases a series of five twofers, containing best-selling titles from the back catalogue.

The focus is on five of Ondine’s star artists: sopranos Soile Isokoski and Karita Mattila, baritone Jorman Hynninen, violinist Pella Kuusisto and clarinettist Kari Kriikku.

These releases are specially priced (2 CDs for the price of 1) and are limited edition, running through 2010 only.

SFZ Music are pleased to announce their latest release, the first in a series featuring the principal wind players of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Graham Sheen is also professor of bassoon at the Guildhall School of Music, London, and is widely-known as a teacher, many of his pupils having gone on to major posts in orchestras all round Europe. Beautifully accompanied by Elizabeth Burley, Graham presents a rich and varied programme, placing Schumann's haunting Op. 102 alongside contemporary music, much of which is recorded here for the first time. Graham also includes his own compositions including the ever-popular title-track, 'Goodbye, Mr Galliard'.