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Copland - Clarinet Concerto
Aldridge - Clarinet Concerto
Singer; A Far Cry Orchestra; Shanghai Quartet
Naxos 8559667
Release date July 2010
Recently released on the ever-enterprising Naxos American Classics series is an inspired coupling of one familiar and one unknown clarinet concerto. The unknown work is Aldridge’s concerto, which was written for soloist David Singer in 2004. The work echoes Copland’s magnificent Clarinet Concerto in many ways. Aldridge combines elements of jazz, folk and klezmer in the score, which follows the traditional fast-slow-fast concerto form (as does Copland). Not usually a fan of the 'American' sound I was very much taken with Singer’s round tone, dazzling technique (particularly his command of extended techniques in the final movement) and expressive ability (especially evident in the slow movement). Singer’s interpretation of the Copland (written for Benny Goodman in 1948) is the best I’ve heard in a while. His approach is serene, not flashy (unlike Sarah Williamson’s recent recording for Somm) and intonation and tone are rarely compromised. Plenty of space is given to the cadenza and the finale is neatly done (though perhaps a little too prim in places!) Refined accompaniment comes from the quirkily titled ‘A Far Cry Orchestra’ who perform without a conductor (which may explain the safe approach to certain passages in the Copland). Aldridge’s Samba, scored for clarinet and string quartet, was written with the intention to mimic the sound of a Latin big-band - whether this is achieved is open to discussion. However, it serves to round off this all-American adventure nicely.
Reviewed by Dawn Cooke