The performance of the Clarinet Quintet is as sympathetic, as soft-edged and as autumnal in flavour as anyone could wish. Those who still associate period instruments with harshness of sound or 'objectivity' of expression should listen to the gentle shaping of phrases, the warm blend of the string tone (organ-like in some of the vibrato-less chords), the almost dreamy character of the Larghetto. It is not a specially energetic performance, though there is a touch of athleticism about the first movement development, as there needs to be, and some real virtuosity in the semiquaver variation of the finale, taken quite rapidly though still essentially gentle in mood. The players add a little ornamentation here and there in repeats, in all the movements, but particularly effective in the finale. There is a slightly odd 'lift' to the phrase-ends in the second trio of the minuet, but otherwise this seems to me a most affectionate and musical performance, lacking perhaps something of the surface sheen of some of performances but very appealing in its reflective quality.
I enjoyed the Trio just as much. This is not an easy work to carry off, with its curiously hesitant first movement; here the players seem to strike just the right tempo, a shade quicker than most, and they bring to it a pleasing lightness, chiefly of course through the use of a fortepiano. This movement flows very charmingly and unpretentiously; and the minuet too has some finely shaped detail. Robert Levin's playing is, as always, full of interesting things and apt touches of decoration, with pleasantly glittering passagework in the rondo.
The other work, an early arrangement of a piano and violin sonata for clarinet quartet, is a curiosity, and not really very successful. Music written for piano inevitably sounds awkward on other instruments and in the rapid passagework the clarinet is not a good substitute, apt to seem clumsy and unrhythmic at times. For the most part, the anonymous arranger set the melody part for the clarinet and has the strings acting as an accompaniment. Still, there is plenty else to enjoy on the disc, and this arrangement does give a glimpse into the kind of things that went on in amateur music-making of the time.
'