Clarinet on music Photo: Public Domain
Towards the end of his life, Mozart was increasingly aware of the lyrical and voice-like qualities of the clarinet family, then reaching a successful point in their development.
In 1786 he wrote to his father, coveting this new instrument: "Oh, if only we had clarinets. You can't guess the lordly effect of a symphony with ... clarinets."
This concerto was written for Mozart's friend Anton Stadler in the last months of Mozart's life.
Andrew Simon (clarinet), Orchestra Wellington conducted by Marc Taddei.
Recorded 20 August 2016 at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert.
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Graham Kennedy.
