The outstanding German clarinetist Nicolai Pfeffer offers two unusual arrangements from originals for violin and orchestra, the Rondo in C, K 373, and a concert aria for soprano. It is also welcome that we get Symphony No. 29, given that the conductor, Markus Stenz, has an international reputation. The expectation of high-caliber performances is nicely fulfilled. Pfeffer, who was born in Fulda, Germany in 1985, has a par- ticularly elegant tone and playing style. His phrasing
is more liquid and legato than, say, Gervase de Peyer on one of his classic Decca account, but Pfeffer has a firm rhythmic sense, so nothing gets blurred.
He takes advantage of the pause in the first movement where the soloist was expected to improvise an Ein- gang (brief cadenza). His improvisation is modest and appropriately tasteful, as are the embellishments added here and there.
