THE CARNIVAL SWAN

Mozart’s friendship with the clarinettist Anton Stadler gave rise to some of his finest compositions. Included among these are his five Divertimenti for Three Basset Horns, works which draw the listener in with the warmth and darkness of their tonal palette. Krzysztof Penderecki also explores unusual tonal colours in his Clarinet Quartet as well as in his virtuoso – yet nonetheless playful – Duo for Violin and Double Bass. When listening to Camille Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals”, there’s only one question: “When will the swan come?” It’s on its way! And then the swan finally arrives — gracious and majestic, brought to life by the song of the cello.