Carl Maria von Weber - Clarinet Quintet, Op. 34 (1815)

Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber (18 or 19 November 1786 - 5 June 1826) was a German composer, conductor, pianist, guitarist and critic, one of the first significant composers of the Romantic school.
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Clarinet Quintet in B-flat major, Op. 34 (1811-15)
Dedication: Heinrich Baermann
I. . Allegro (0:00)
II. Fantasia. Adagio (9:46)
III. Menuetto (15:15)
IV. Rondo. Allegro (20:41)
Ensemble `L`Archibudelli`
Charles Neidich (clarinet), Lucy van Dael (violin), Vera Berths (violin), Jurgen Kussmaul (viola), Anner Bylsma (cello)
Details by Edition Silvertrust:
Weber’s impetus for writing his Op.34 Clarinet Quintet in B flat Major was his friendship with the clarinet virtuoso Heinrich Baermann which began in 1811. Weber worked on the quintet off and on for four years completing it in 1815. Baermann was a touring soloist and though most likely he might have preferred a concerto, quite often soloists found that it was quite impossible to find a decent orchestra in some of the smaller cities where they concertized. Soloists who were also composers, such as Louis Spohr, solved their problems by writing quartets or quintets known as “brillant” indicating they were a vehicle for the soloist. A kind of mini-concerto. The soloist need only find 4 or 5 good musicians, which even most small towns could supply, and a concert could be had. Weber’s Clarinet Quintet was designed to fill this bill and it provides all of the drama, thrills and pathos of a concerto. And as an opera composer, Weber had no difficulty creating dramatic operatic effects. While the work requires a clarinetist of high technical ability, it is not simply a 'show off' piece devoid of musical worth. To the contrary, the lovely melodies and fine handling of the themes make it a compelling piece of music. The work is in four movements and begins with a dramatic Allegro. The second movement is entitled Fantasia. Here, Weber creates a work worthy of his best operatic efforts. It is dramatic and deeply felt. Next comes a lilting Menuetto, capriccio presto, which takes the place of a scherzo but in no way can it be styled a classical minuet. The finale is the piece de resistance, a rollicking Rondo allegro giojoso, which bounces forward effortlessly, like a horse racing the wind.

[@TheodoreServin]

This is an exceptionally good quintet, so many moving passages, and what a performance! I've never heard the clarinet played like that before. Also, the string quartet really captured the mysterious quality of this piece - they easily could have played it blandly and without much dynamic and emotional range, but they transformed it into something so emotionally arresting, you can't help but admire every passage. The slow movement is absolutely wonderful. Thank you for posting!

[@bag3lmonst3r72]

Seems Weber was quite fond of the clarinet, judging by this and his excellent clarinet concerti.
Also, that high note at 14:19 tho

[@notaire2]

Wunderschöne und detaillierte Interpretation dieses frühromantischen und fein komponierten Quintetts in verschiedenen Tempi mit bezauberndem Ton der Klarinette, seidigen Tönen beider Violinen, mildem Ton der Bratsche und tiefem Ton des Violoncellos. Der zweite Satz klingt besonders schön und echt melodisch. Im Kontrast klingt der letzte Satz echt lebhaft und auch begeisternd. Die Virtuosität aller Spieler ist echt bewundernswert. Faszinierend vom Anfang bis zum Ende!

[@michaelloew522]

I went to a performance of this and i really added this to my like list. and this recording helps too.

[@danielwaitzman2118]

The best, most stylish clarinet playing I have ever heard; and the music is stunning. Thank you for posting this! Von Weber’s friend, Franz Danzi, was at least as great a composer, by the way-I refer you to my recording of two of his chamber works for flute (puff-puff!), on UA-cam.

[@TempodiPiano]

Did Beethoven say something about Weber?

[@Dylonely42]

25:48

[@jeffreyhodes]

based

[@TempodiPiano]

as good as Mozart, isn't it?
more dynamic than Schubert
I love the kind first theme in the first mvt, the great scale pianissimo in the second

[@mathersdavid5113]

I think Mozart was supreme in slow movements but Weber excelled him in virtuosic writing perfectly suited to the clarinet.