Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Clarinet, String Quartet

Gervaise de Peyer / Melos Ensemble of London

1964 Fairly good stereo sound.

Gil's top choice. 'Fairly easy.' The artistry they bring—the joy, the ebbs and flows, the phrasing—just really brings out the joy and exuberance of the work wonderfully.

Thea King / Gabrieli Quartet

1985

Thea King was a consummate artist on the clarinet, with wonderful elegance and expressiveness, matched by the Gabrieli Quartet.

Benny Goodman / Budapest Quartet

1938 Historic recording.

A vintage version. Taken a little bit faster, and Goodman 'had those moves'—really elegant and smooth. A wonderful version despite the difficult, noisy sound.