Triple Clarinet Joy From Jean-Luc Votano

A tantalising reading of Mozart, Weber and Rossini from the talented clarinetist.

Composer: Mozart, Weber, Rossini
Repertoire: Clarinet Concerto, Clarinet Concerto No.1, Introduction, Theme & Variations
Artists: Jean-Luc Votano (clarinet), Liège Philharmonic Orchestra/Louis Langrée
Rating: 4/5

Genre: Instrumental
Label: Cypres CYP7609

Jean-Luc Votano, born in 1982, is the principal clarinet of the Liège Philharmonic. He has won umpteen competitions and, to judge from this CD, his success is well deserved. His tone is rich and mellow, he phrases with the utmost musicality and he can tantalise the listener with magically soft playing. Louis Langrée starts the Mozart at an ideally steady tempo and everything flows naturally thereafter. When the main tune of the Adagio returns it is to a mere wisp of sound. Weber’s F minor Concerto is another delight: listen especially to the dialogue between the soloist and the horns in the first two movements.