Classical Editor: Rob Barnett                               Founder Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Octet in F, D.803 Nonet in e flat, D.79 Consortium Classicum/Dieter Klöcker Recorded 1983 CPO 999744-2 [62.58] Crotchet   AmazonUK   AmazonUS  Amazon recommendations A warm-hearted, affectionate reading with a particularly bouncy scherzo. The music is left to speak for itself. Considering that the clarinettist, Klöcker, is supposedly the leading spirit behind the performance, it is odd that he seems its weakest link. His tone is bland, even husky at times, and he appears afraid to project himself too strongly (while the horn sometimes appears to have strayed in from a Brahms symphony). Are my English ears too spoilt by the sound of the many superb clarinettists we have produced? Do these very dulcet tones attract more elsewhere? But I don't want to make too much of this. It's a disc that can be safely recommended. Only, when the heavenly lengths run to about an hour, perhaps it would be the case to look for something more dangerous. Christopher Howell

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