The following review has appeared in the Gramophone magazine, Jan. 2003 (U.S. Edition)

Anthony Gigliotti was one of the worlds leading clarinetists during the second half of the twentieth century. He played principal clarinet in the Philadelphia Orchestra for 47 seasons, retiring in 1997, and was a longtime member of the Philadelphia Woodwind Quintet, which can be heard on Milestone Columbia recordings from 1950s recently released on compact disc.

Gigliotti died at age 79 in December 2001, a year after making this recording of trios with exceptional young colleagues, pianist Hung-Kuan Chen and cellist Felix Fan. They all sound energized by one another's artistry.

The transcendent trios Beethoven and Brahms receive performances are real occasions there is feeling of seem less conversation in the Beethoven, in which balances are fine and judicious tempi allow lines to emerge in all of there exuberance or lyricism. The players provide abundant warmth in the Brahms's trio without going over romantic deep ends.

The surprise here is Glinka's Trio Pathetique in D minor, whish sounds nothing like the music the composer create once he became the epitome of Russia nationalism. Beethoven and Schubert seem to be the models for this charming peace of Viennese inspired classicism.

Gigliotti's fluid technique, crystalline articulation and tonal beauty grace every piece while Chen's pianism is alert to detail and momentum and Fan (playing the 1724 'Hausmann' Stradivarius which was used in the premiers' of both Brahms' Trio and also his Double Concerto) contributes music-making Of compelling ardour. The recording is an eloquent farewell to a clarinetist of rare gifts.

Donald Rosenberg

To go back to the main page, click here.