Virtuosi

The sought-after clarinetist Michael Collins is one of the most eminent players of his time, highly regarded both as soloist and pedagogue. In his early career, he recorded five albums for EMI and Virgin: a prelude to a rich discographic career. This album compiles some of the finest and most challenging pieces for clarinet and piano, from Poulenc’s sonata to Weber’s Grand Duo. Recorded with in-demand accompanying pianist Kathryn Stott, it also features two curiosities: the Solo de concours written by André Messager, a composer we expect more in the lyrical genre, composed in 1899 for the entrance competition at the Paris Conservatory, and a concert fantasy on themes from La traviata by Donato Lovreglio, virtuoso flautist and arranger of many Verdi arias for woodwinds.