now playing. been a while since I last listened to these masterpieces

start of Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7E3KCJ-fbg&list=OLAK5uy_lCjqXHui6K2MpT__lA7h_b_uZjTCfCECA&index=2

start of Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuHH-9RKavI&list=OLAK5uy_lCjqXHui6K2MpT__lA7h_b_uZjTCfCECA&index=4

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lCjqXHui6K2MpT__lA7h_b_uZjTCfCECA

>In the liner notes to this disc, Swedish clarinetist Martin Fröst is described as a “daring performer” who has “stretched the limits of musical expression”, likely owing to his frequent collaborations with several contemporary composers including Anders Hillborg and Krzysztof Penderecki. “Daring” does not leap to mind when describing Mozart, and happily Fröst himself does not flaunt his presumed reputation when tackling these popular works. While some may find Fröst’s readings on the “cool” side, it is largely because they are just so perfectly executed and pristine that you are left hopelessly grasping for something that might be missing. After all, what ultimately determines Mozartian performance standards but the expectation of technical perfection? In no small part aided by the redoubtable Amsterdam Sinfonietta and Vertavo String Quartet, Fröst steals the show with his sultry tone, sensitive phrasing, and utterly beguiling pianissimos, momentarily making us forget that several other great performances of the Concerto have graced the catalog for decades. ---- ClassicsToday, Rating: 10-10