The Obbligato Clarinet: songs by Schubert, Meyerbeer & other 19th century composers

Divine Art released this CD to celebrate the 70th birthday of celebrated clarinettist Colin Bradbury. The public launch of the disc was at Colin's concert with Oliver at the Wigmore Hall, London on March 27, 2004. This is a delightful programme of lieder from the mid 19th century, and some of these pieces are recorded here for the first time.

"…one of the more beautiful CDs I have heard recently… most of the names are new to me also, but that is what makes this CD all the more valuable. The soloist[s] are quite personable and give the requisite dramatic approach to the texts. If there ever was a gift for the collector who "has everything" , this is it." - Frank Behrens (Eagle Times USA)

"Eirian James… deploys her gleaming high mezzo gracefully and nimbly. Colin Bradbury is a liquid-toned clarinettist, phrasing alluringly and relishing his bouts of elegant virtuosity…innocent undemanding pleasures…" Performance ****, Sound ***** - Richard Wigmore (BBC Music Magazine)

" Everywhere in the programme [Bradbury's] easy technique and natural musicianship are sympathetic to the music on hand….an attractive programme very well presented" - Christopher Howell (MusicWeb)

"The performances are very fine… Eirian James is a sensitive mezzo-soprano… Robert Murray … is similarly communicative and mellow… the beauty and personality of [Bradbury's] tone merit admiration" - Raymond Tuttle (International Record Review)