Chaplin, C: Smile from 'Modern Times'

A calendar filled with orchestral concerts and chamber recitals in many of the world’s most prestigious venues has given the clarinettist Martin Fröst ample opportunity to develop a wide range of encores, for every occasion. Known for the imaginatively themed concert programmes he devises with various musician friends, he has also explored a number of musical genres.

These aspects of his artistry are both demonstrated on this constantly engaging disc, which includes immortal gems such as Rachmaninov’s Vocalise and Kreisler’s Liebeslied as well as pieces rather less usual in a classical context: Charlie Chaplin’s Smile and the klezmer traditional Let’s Be Happy.

Throughout the programme Fröst receives the expert support of the pianist Roland Pöntinen, a chamber music partner of long standing who has also been involved in devising many of the imaginative arrangements, for instance of Vittorio Monti’s Csárdás. Three other musical companions of Fröst’s make cameo appearances, with mezzo-soprano Malena Ernman joining the clarinet in the head-long flight of not one, but two bumble-bees. Torleif Thedéen’s cello sings a heartfelt Ave Maria while Svante Henryson, also a cellist, plays in his own duo piece Off Pist.

“His virtuosity lies in his exceptional dexterity and agility…and in his daring control of the instrument’s dynamic and expressive extremes.” The Times

Schott-Zierotin has recorded numerous CDs and is a publisher of chamber music and is a specialist in Strauss, Lanner and Fahrbach. Georg Wagner has a lively interest in all aspects of music and has been engaged in a variety of fields including publishing, composition, performing as a percussionist and soloist and accompanist on piano and harpsichord.

A genuine trumpet phenomena, Romain Leleu has quickly gained an enviable profile courtesy of his infallible technique, enthusiam and his natural musicality, which have already won him a Victoire de la Musique.

He is back, on a third disc for Aparté, with his playmates the Ensemble Convergences for this very personal album of classic standards and crossover, specially orchestrated for string quintet and trumpet. Fun, cheesey even and in excellent arrangements.

Recorded in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity close to Carol Jarvis’s heart for very personal reasons.