Precocious clarinetist Julian Bliss turns in an agreeable recital on this 2003 debut on EMI. With his accompanist Julien Quentin, Bliss presents a series of highly virtuosic works, yet these pieces were primarily chosen for their accessibility and charm. Francis Poulenc's piquant Sonata is an intriguing opening gambit, and this piece establishes the French sensibility that dominates the program. André Messager's gymnastic Solo de concours, which Bliss played at the 2002 Prom for Queen Elizabeth II, shows the considerable ...
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Precocious clarinetist Julian Bliss turns in an agreeable recital on this 2003 debut on EMI. With his accompanist Julien Quentin, Bliss presents a series of highly virtuosic works, yet these pieces were primarily chosen for their accessibility and charm. Francis Poulenc's piquant Sonata is an intriguing opening gambit, and this piece establishes the French sensibility that dominates the program. André Messager's gymnastic Solo de concours, which Bliss played at the 2002 Prom for Queen Elizabeth II, shows the considerable agility this gifted artist has with his instrument. The pastoral mood of the Sonatina by Joseph Horovitz and Paul Jeanjean's gentle Clair matin introduce a subdued, even bland tone to the proceedings, but Jean Françaix's playful Tema con variazioni revives interest with its whimsical turns. Bohuslav Martinu's Sonatina balances Poulenc's Sonata in complexity and sophistication, but its Andante introduces a grave tone that stands out on this otherwise lighthearted album. Plainly the most...
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