Mozart Quintet in A, KV581 [HL:400314]

Performed by Keith Dwyer, clarinet

Accompaniment: Cassini String Quartet: Charles Roth, 1st violin; Marla Smith, 2nd violin; John Madison, viola; John Iatzko, violoncello

Written for his friend and fellow Mason in Vienna, Anton Stadler, the quintet was completed in September of 1789, and premiered a few days before Christmas of that year. It is one of Mozart's most perfect accomplishments – a score of proud serenity, transparent texture and radiant beauty. It is also an example of Mozart's uncanny ability to combine the best parts of chamber music and concerto music. The solo clarinet leads the ensemble but does not subjugate it. There is an infinite variety of interplay between the performing partners, and all five instruments undertake the virtuoso's role at one time or another. 'The result,' says Homer Ulrich, 'is a piece of music whose charm and delicacy are difficult to duplicate in the literature of strings and winds.' This deluxe set includes the quintet in its original key with printed parts for both A and B-flat clarinets, and adds a repitched version for B-flat clarinetists, allowing players of that instrument easier execution plus the ability to learn the same fingerings as the composer's intended A clarinet for performance purposes.

Includes a high-quality printed music score for B-flat clarinet; and audio recordings with a complete version with soloist, in split-channel stereo; then a second version in full stereo of the accompaniment, minus the soloist. Also includes a recording of the quintet repitched to allow B-flat clarinetists to play the original written part for A-clarinet.

The audio is accessed online using the unique code inside each book and can be streamed or downloaded. The audio files include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.