Mozart Clarinet Quintet

The Clarinet Quintet is one of Mozart’s most played and popular pieces, thanks in particular to its fantastically beautiful second movement. The inspiration came from one of Mozart’s best friends, clarinettist Anton Stadler. They became acquainted in Vienna in the early 1780s and belonged to the same Freemason order. Stadler inspired Mozart to compose the Clarinet Trio in E-Flat Major, the so-called Kegelstatt Trio, Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet. In one of his many letters, Mozart himself referred to the quintet as the Stadler Quintet.

Swedish composer Victoria Borisova-Ollas has roots in Russia and began her education at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. She was at the centre of Konserthuset’s Composer Weekend in 2013 and received enormous acclaim for her opera Dracula at the Royal Swedish Opera.

Here, we will hear her Seven Singing Butterflies for clarinet and string quartet featuring clarinettist Johan Fransén, alternate section leader and member of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra since 1997. Other participating philharmonic members include Daniela Bonfiglioli and Lola Torrente on violin, Vicki Powell on viola and Marie Macleod on cello.