24 FLAC Discount This album presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, performed by Wenzel Fuchs, principal clarinet of the Berliner Philharmoniker, under the baton of Alan Gilbert. This recording highlights not only the lyrical elegance of Mozart’s final instrumental concerto, but also the deep artistic partnership between soloist and orchestra. Composed in 1791 for the virtuoso clarinetist Anton Stadler, the concerto was originally intended for a basset clarinet—an extended-range instrument Stadler had specially built. Though the original manuscript is lost, the piece survives in a version adapted for the standard A clarinet, now widely performed. Despite its apparent simplicity, the concerto demands expressive nuance and tonal sensitivity, allowing the clarinet to "sing" with gentle lyricism and broad melodic arches. Wenzel Fuchs emphasizes the music’s honesty and refinement, avoiding showy virtuosity in favor of warmth and clarity. Mozart omits cadenzas, allowing the music’s natural flow and vocal phrasing to take center stage. The result is a work of intimate beauty, brought to life here in a richly sonorous performance by one of the world’s leading orchestras and its renowned soloist. Recorded at the Philharmonie Berlin in 2018, this release captures the luxurious blend of solo and orchestral timbre that defines Mozart’s timeless concerto.