Saverio Mercadante - Andante with Variations

Like Auber and the others, Saverio Mercadante is still not that well-known to the public as he could and should be. A contemporary of Donizetti and Verdi, he was something of a bridge between the two. His music is written thoroughly according to belcanto traditions: cabalettas, big ensembles and spectacular flights of music... And yet he pushed the boundaries of belcanto to create something new, something original though still in the framework of traditions. Verdi was still following the classical models, when Mercadante was creating his striking operas. It's really hard to describe in words, one has to listen to the music itself. I would strongly recommend any recordings made by "Opera Rara". In the mean time, I will try and give you something to get the general idea of Mercadante's charm.

The present except is taken from the Mercadante's Concert in B flat Major for Clarinet and Orchestra: a lovely andante passage turns in a matter of a few beats into a full virtuoso performance for the clarinet, while the orchestra's role is limited to the bridge passages and the bass line; the piece is extremely charming, if somewhat old-fashioned: the caroling of the clarinet actually reminds me of a lark (which is one of the reasons I choose a pastoral painting for this clip). Enjoy :)!

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Music

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• Mercadante

[fer77aa]

Who's the clarinet soloist? This version is quite good but my favourite version of Mercadante's Clarinet concerto is the Karl Leister's one (retired Berliner Philharmoniker clarinet soloist).

[LindoroRossini]

Joy Farrall.

[mattiaaceto]

Fabrizio Meloni is the soloist

[Terrypoust]

Label: Tudor

UPC: 812973017288

Item Number: T728

Release Date: Jan 1, 2001

[Terrypoust]

Label: Tudor

UPC: 812973017288

Item Number: T728

Release Date: Jan 1, 2001

[hodgrix]

@goateater123 yea this is not the Joy Farrall recording i have

[goateater123]

I thought Joy Farrall's took up 8:43 instead of 7:21

[nereyza]

creeis que este concierto se podría llevar a una oposición?

[maxazi]

Grande Saverio.