Concerto No.2 (Grand), Op.5 / Concertino, Op.26 / Adagio / Introduction, Theme And Variations

Released in 1987 by the ASV label, this recording showcases the artistry of British clarinetist Emma Johnson. The album brings together key works from the clarinet repertoire, focusing primarily on the virtuosic contributions of Carl Maria von Weber and Bernhard Henrik Crusell. These pieces were cornerstones of the nineteenth-century concert stage, designed to highlight the instrument's lyrical capabilities and the technical agility required of the soloist.

The album reflects the emergence of Emma Johnson as a prominent talent in the classical music world during the 1980s, following her victory at the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. The selection of works highlights the close historical collaboration between composers like Weber and Baermann, for whom the concertos were specifically written. Critics at the time praised the recording for its vitality and the nuanced technical precision Johnson brought to these demanding Romantic-era compositions.