Andreas Ottensamer – PORTRAITS

Now he reminds me of the Pied Piper of Hamelin but he’s from Austria. And accompanying him, The Rottedam Philharmonic Orchestra.

Andreas Ottensamer is the new kid on the block in the classical music scene. And what does the 24- year-old bring to the table – music of Cimarosa, Gershwin and Copland. A collection of his favourite music played through the instrument of his heart – the clarinet.

Listening to Portraits, a clarinet album is like walking through an art gallery – a very pleasant sensory experience.

The consistent, warm tone and special arrangements will make you forget that some of the tracks were not originally written for the clarinet.

What got my attention was the jazzy, allegro from Gershwin’s 3 Preludes for Piano arranged for clarinet and orchestra.

Andreas mastery over the piano and cello probably added a deeper dimension to the interpretation of this classic, giving it a breath of fresh air.

Then, he wows you further with his virtuosity in the clarinet cadenza that connects both movements of Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto.

Even Cimarosa’s Oboe Concerto in C gets a sonic update with the creative use of the clarinet.

On the whole, this album has a great clarinet repertoire that leaves you wanting more, so I’m giving Portraits 4 out of 5.