Buriedtreasure

Clarinettist Alexander Fiterstein introduces favourite recordings from his collection

Stamitz Clarinet Concerto No. 3

Yona Ettlinger (clarinet) et al Doremi DHR7859

Yona Ettlinger played principal clarinet in the Israel Phil, made a number of great arrangements and was interested in Baroque music. This is the first concerto that I learned as a student, so I have an affinity for it and I think this recording is great because Ettlinger is very creative with it. He embellishes what could be deemed a simple concerto. The way he plays it, the shadings in the slow movement, what he’s doing with his pianissimos… it all really appeals to me.

Aaron Jay Kernis

Marina Piccinini (flute) et al

Naxos 8.559830

This stands out as one of the best recent American concertos. Its four movements are very connected and tell a story, and it manages to balance depth with some lighter elements – there are two heavy, dark movements and two lighter movements that are very fresh and imaginative. The music features a mandolin and there are some jazz elements in the last movement. I think it’s just a very cohesive piece and Marina Piccinini plays it beautifully here.

Nielsen Wind Quintet, Op. 43

William Winstead (bassoon) et al

Sony Classical SMK46250

The special thing about the Marlboro Festival is that it’s a summer retreat, so these are not groups that play year-round. There’s a freshness because of that, also an intensity, and you can hear that in this recording, especially in the Nielsen. His fascination with nature can definitely be heard, and woodwinds are good at bringing out those natural sounds.

It’s also a real character piece.

Alexander Fiterstein’s album

A Clarinet in America is out now on Orchid Classics