Pleyel: Clarinet Chamber Music

- Ignaz Pleyel, one of the most multifaceted composers of any time, being active in various fields as a composer, performer, publisher and piano builder. He was born in Lower Austria, he studied with Johann Baptist Vanhal, and from 1772 he became the pupil of Joseph Haydn in Eisenstadt, who considered him to be a superb student. After that he became a publisher in Paris (Maison Pleyel).

- In 1791, due to French Revolution musical performances in churches were abolished as well as public concerts and Pleyel travelled to London searching for a better place to work as a composer and organizer. In fact he made a fortune during his stay in that city, where he also led the "Professional Concerts" organized by Wilhelm Cramer. Finally he settled in Paris where he founded his publishing house which lasted for 39 years and published about 4,000 works during this time, including compositions by Adolphe Adam, Luigi Boccherini, Ludwig van Beethoven, Muzio Clementi, Johann Baptist Cramer, Johann Ladislaus Dussek, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Georges Onslow.

- In 1807 he became a manufacturer of very fine pianos, which industry continues till today. Pleyel was a composer, writing at least 42 symphonies, 70 string quartets and several operas.

- This new recording presents chamber music in which the clarinet plays a leading role: a beautiful Quintet for piano, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon, duos and a trio for clarinet(s), bassoon or viola. Music containing “many a good tune”, brilliantly written for the instruments, providing ample opportunity for the display of virtuosity and “Spielfreude”.

- Played by The Italian Consort and Luigi Magistrelli, one of the foremost clarinet players of Italy. He made many recordings for Brilliant Classics with works by C.P.E. Bach (95307), Giuliani (95541), Kummer (94472), Archduke Rudolph (94952), Rebay (94171) and Fuchs (96305). ‘Luigi Magistrelli is a skilled artist, with the fingers and the enthusiasm for Weber.’ Gramophone.

• Myslik: Variations in F major on a Theme of Pleyel
• Pleyel: Behind Yon Hills
• Pleyel: Clarinet Quintet in C major, B.281
• Pleyel: Clarinet Trio, Op. 20
• Pleyel: Duets (3) for 2 Clarinets
• Pleyel: Duets (4)
• Pleyel: The Smiling Morn