Lindberg and Aho Clarinet Concertos Julian Bliss, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Taavi Oramo

• Magnus Lindberg (b. 1958): Clarinet Concerto:
• 1 Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto: Part I 05:19
• 2 Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto: Part II 04:35
• 3 Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto: Part III 02:37
• 4 Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto: Part IV 07:39
• 5 Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto: Cadenza 02:52
• 6 Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto: Part V 04:15
• Kalevi Aho (b. 1949): Clarinet Concerto:
• 7 Aho: Clarinet Concerto: I. Tempestoso 08:48
• 8 Aho: Clarinet Concerto: II. Cadenza. Tranquillo 02:47
• 9 Aho: Clarinet Concerto: III. Vivace con brio 06:32
• 10 Aho: Clarinet Concerto: IV. Adagio mesto 07:58
• 11 Aho: Clarinet Concerto: V. Epilogo. Misterioso 07:34
• Total Runtime 01:00:56

Info for Lindberg and Aho Clarinet Concertos

Celebrated clarinettist Julian Bliss is joined by conductor Taavi Oramo and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra to perform concertos by Magnus Lindberg and Kalevi Aho. “In my opinion, the Lindberg and Aho clarinet concertos are two of the greatest of the 21st century. These works demand everything from the performer—one moment navigating passages of extreme virtuosity and precision, the next exploring the most beautiful and breath-taking writing. They require total commitment; there’s no holding back, making them both thrilling to perform. Recording these concertos with the incredible BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the brilliant Taavi Oramo was an absolute privilege” (Julian Bliss)

Julian Bliss, clarinet
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Taavi Oramo, conductor

Julian Bliss
is one of the world’s finest clarinettists, excelling as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, jazz artist, and masterclass leader. He has inspired a generation of young players and introduced a substantial new audience to his instrument. Julian started playing the clarinet aged four and went on to study in the United States at the University of Indiana and in Germany under Sabine Meyer, turning professional aged just twelve.

In recital and chamber music he has played at most of the world’s leading festivals and halls, including Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Gstaad, New York’s Lincoln Center, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Verbier, and London’s Wigmore Hall. As a soloist, he has appeared with a wide range of international orchestras, including the Auckland Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of Paris, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Sao Paolo Symphony and the Queensland Symphony.

​​​Excellent reviews, record of the week spots and media attention flow from his recording output. In 2021, releases on Signum Records included Brahms Clarinet Sonatas with pianist James Baillieu, and an EP of Julian’s arrangements for clarinet of wind ensemble works by legends of the US band world John Mackey, Frank Ticheli and Eric Whitacre. Other albums include Mozart and Weber Quintets with the Carducci String Quartet; Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock with Ailish Tynan (soprano) and Christopher Glynn (piano); Steve Reich’s New York Counterpoint; Mozart and Nielsen’s Clarinet Concertos with the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

With the launch of Bliss Music in 2020, Julian’s arrangements of a selection of pieces for clarinet and piano have been made available as sheet music. These include Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata Op. 19, the third movement of which has been set as a Grade 6 piece on the new London College of Music clarinet syllabus.

Booklet for Lindberg and Aho Clarinet Concertos