佳佳唱片

佛漢．威廉士:第五號交響曲/芬濟:豎笛協奏曲
麥可．柯林斯 豎笛/指揮
(英國)愛樂管弦樂團

The distinguished clarinettist Michael Collinshas in recent years also gained recognition as a conductor, appearing with eminent orchestras across the world. The present disc sees his recording debut as a conductor of symphonic repertoire, from which he has chosen Vaughan Williams's Fifth Symphony–one of the composer's best-loved works. Written during the Second World War and with its symphonic predecessor displaying a convulsive fury and desolation, the Fifth is surprisingly serene and pastoral. Vaughan Williams dedicated it 'without permission' to Jean Sibelius –who in his diary described his impression on first hearing the work as 'a caress from a summer world.'

On the present disc, Vaughan Williams is followed by his younger colleague and friend Gerald Finzi, who he once advised to write a symphony: 'They're ever so easy'. Finzi was not convinced, and remains known as a composer of primarily vocal music, but among his few instrumental works is a Concerto for Clarinet, the instrument widely regarded as the most voice-like of all. For this, Michael Collins reverts to his customary role as soloist, conducting the strings of the Philharmonia Orchestra from the clarinet.

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872—1958)
Symphony No. 5 in D major (1938—43) 39'25 1 ) I. Preludio. Moderato 12'06 2 ) II. Scherzo. Presto misterioso 4'58 3 ) III. Romanza. Lento 11'38 4 ) IV. Passacaglia. Moderato 10'25
Gerald Finzi (1901—56)
Concerto for Clarinet and Strings, Op. 31 28'10 5 ) I. Allegro vigoroso — L'istesso tempo, ma in modo lirico 7'56 6 ) II. Adagio, ma senza rigore — A tempo (ma pochissimo più movimento) 11'53 7 ) III. Rondo. Allegro giocoso 8'15
TT: 68'30
Philharmonia Orchestra Michael Collins conductor and clarinet soloist