Sundowner Programme 26 – Clarinet Music (Part 1)

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In our programme on Monday evening, we explored the clarinet through its greatest Classical and Romantic concertos — Mozart’s sublime concerto of 1791 and Weber’s brilliant Romantic showpiece. Today we add to that picture with a series of shorter works, each one offering a different perspective on the clarinet’s sound world.

Together, these works remind us why the clarinet has captured the imagination of so many composers. From the elegance of Crusell and Weber to the shimmering colours of Debussy, from the salon grace of Pierné to the witty charm of Horovitz, the clarinet reveals itself as one of the most versatile instruments in the orchestra and recital hall alike.
Where the concerto places the clarinet against the full forces of the orchestra, these shorter pieces bring us closer to its intimate, chamber voice — warm, expressive, and endlessly varied.

This programme, paired with the Mozart and Weber concertos, gives us a fuller picture of the clarinet: not only a virtuoso soloist, but also a poetic storyteller, a dancer, and at times, a dreamer.
19 Aug 2025 English South Africa Music History · Music Commentary

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