Karl-Heinz Steffens -- principal clarinet of Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks from 1989 through 1999 and clarinet soloists of the
Berliner Philharmoniker from 2000 on -- is exactly the kind of German clarinet player who ought to have a big label recording contract: a technically impeccable, tonally delectable, interpretatively soulful player at home in the great German clarinet repertoire. But, since the big labels aren't about to record German clarinet players -- not enough money in it, perhaps --
Steffens is signed to the Swiss Tudor label to make records of the great German clarinet repertoire. On this disc,
Steffens has somehow contrived to record most of Schumann's works for clarinet, a small body of works consisting largely of transcriptions and arrangements of works for other instruments. That's alright: with
Steffens' fluent technique, melting tone, and warm interpretations, they all sound lovely from the composer's arrangement of the Three Romances for oboe and piano, Op. 94, which opens the disc to the Three Fantasiestücke, Op. 73, originally written for clarinet and piano that closes it. Perhaps most charming of all are the transcriptions of six lieder, especially the achingly beautiful "Im wunderschönen Monat Mai" from Dichterliebe that sounds even more plaintively longing on the clarinet.
Steffens' accompanist is Karina Wisniewska, who supports him with care and compassion throughout and who shines on her own and in the third movement of the Fantasie, Op. 17, making the listener yearn for a whole disc by this wonderful player. Tudor's sound is deep, full, and round.