The Weber Clarinet Quintet is well known and it’s good to welcome back this recording to the catalogue, notable especially for the wonderful clarinet playing of Gervase de Peyer. But the real finds on this recording are the superb Septet and Quintet of Hummel. The Piano Concertos of Hummel are now becoming a little more familiar, thanks to the efforts of pianists like Stephen Hough. But much earlier, in 1965 to be precise, pianist Lamar Crowson and members of the Melos Ensemble of London recorded these two magnificent chamber pieces, here receiving a revival on CD.
JOHANN NEPOMUK HUMMEL
Septet in D minor, Op. 74
Quintet in E flat major, Op. 87
CARL MARIA VON WEBER
Clarinet Quintet (Grand Quintetto) in B flat major, Op.34
Melos Ensemble of London
‘elegant and polished … the smoothly phrased playing of Gervase de Peyer is delightful’ Limelight