Haydn String Quartet Op.20 No 4
David Bruce Gumboots for clarinet and strings
Brahms Clarinet Quintet Op.115

One of his final compositions.  Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet is a profound chamber work of immense colour, full of melancholy yet highly rhapsodic.

Here it is paired with David Bruce’s thrilling Gumboots, performed by the acclaimed clarinettist Julian Bliss and the Carducci Quartet.  First performed in 2008, Gumboots was inspired by the gumboot dancing of South African miners.  The piece is in two parts, the first is tender and slow moving, at times seemingly expressing a kind of tranquillity and inner peace. The second is a complete contrast, consisting of five, ever-more-lively gumboot dances, often joyful and always vital.

Julian Bliss is one of the world’s finest clarinettists excelling as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, jazz artist, masterclass leader and tireless musical explorer. The Carducci Quartet have won many international competitions and appeared at prestigious venues across the globe. Their recording of these pieces in 2015 was well received by Gramophone magazine.

“I listen to a wide range of music, everything from Mahler through to Taylor Swift. I don’t feel guilty about any of it!” says British clarinettist Julian Bliss. Read his interview with The Guardian.

“…the Carducci players displayed a deep and almost familial sense of unity in everything they played… full of life and vitality… extravagantly beautiful…”
The Washington Post

“…high-octane playing balanced control with devil-may-care spontaneity…”
The Guardian

“…the Carducci String Quartet were stunning…they are clearly musicians of high intelligence…”
The Times

This concert is being recorded by BBC Radio 3.

julianbliss.com / @Julian_Bliss
carducciquartet.com / @CarducciQuartet