Former Artist-in-Residence Poppy Beddoe and South African pianist Roelof Temmingh make a dazzling return with music by Rossini and Debussy. Rossini’s Introduction, Theme and Variations is a stunning example of the composer’s operatic heritage, with the cheerful melody being introduced on the clarinet following a stark introduction at the piano. The variations extend and embellish that theme through deft passage work for both players before a thrilling climax that sees the clarinet in its highest register before the piano rounds off with an energetic finale.

Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie has become one of the most loved works in the clarinet repertoire. Written in 1910 as a test piece for the Paris Conservatoire, it balances great technical challenges for the player with sublime melodic and harmonic writing of profound beauty.

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Rossini Introduction, Theme and Variations

Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie