Quintette Pour Clarinette Et Cordes K.581 - Trio Pour Clarinette, Alto Et Piano K.498

Released by Harmonia Mundi in 1984 under the catalog number HM 1118, this recording features the clarinetist Michel Portal performing Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581, and the Trio for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano, K. 498, often known as the Kegelstatt Trio. These works represent the height of Mozart's chamber music repertoire, written in 1789 and 1786 respectively, and demonstrate the composer's mastery of wind and string instrumentation. The 1984 release was part of Harmonia Mundi's commitment to high-fidelity, nuanced interpretations of the classical canon, captured during a period when the label was gaining significant international recognition for its atmospheric and precise recording techniques.

The recording brings together an ensemble of French virtuosos, including pianist Jean-Claude Pennetier and string players Régis Pasquier, Roland Daugareil, Bruno Pasquier, and Roland Pidoux. Their collaboration was intended to highlight the conversational interplay inherent in Mozart's writing, emphasizing the distinct tonal colors of the clarinet against the warmth of the string quartet. The album was well-regarded by critics of the era for its refined sensitivity and the seamless integration of Portal's playing with the string ensemble, solidifying its place as a respected performance in the discography of Mozart's chamber works.