The last one was a farce, so let’s hope this one has more wind in his sails. Deal done this morning. You read it here first.
Internal memo: We are delighted to announce that Andreas Ottensamer, acclaimed clarinet virtuoso from Vienna, joins Mercury Classics for an exclusive recording partnership. Ottensamer’s albums will be released as Mercury Classics/Deutsche Grammophon co-brands. His debut album “Portraits – The Clarinet Album” is available for release in June. Andreas Ottensamer, 23, plays clarinet in the Berlin Philharmonic.
So, in the Berlin Phil, they have Emmanuel Pahud (flute), Albrecht Meyer (oboe) and Andreas Ottensamer (clarinet) who have solo careers. Does anyone know if they reduce their commitments to the orchestra to take on solo careers? Or do they limit their careers to their spare time?
These orchestras have two joint principals, so the positions are effectively a jobshare, specifically to allow these players to have solo careers. Even in the Berlin or Vienna Phil a top player would probably find it restricting if s/he had to do everything.
Principal of Berlin Phil at 22. Dad and big bruv are the two principals of the Vienna Phil!
As a clarinettist myself, I’m always pleased to see one doing well! I remember a very embarrasing conversation with Emma Johnston once. She was doing a concert at my school, and I got invited back to the Music Director’s house afterwards to meet her. She’d played Brahms’ 2nd sonata, and I described it as a “nice little piece”! Unfortunately, a few years later, that Music Director left the school having been caught stealing underpants from boys’ dormitories. It’s not just Chethams that has those problems. His predecessor, who was fantastic and beyond reproach, returned to replace him.
Incidentally, how many women could you see playing in that clip. I only noticed a couple.
Why not? If you become Principal Clarinet of the Berlin Philharmonic, you’re a superstar. A DG contract seems only reasonable.
hmm…A Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc coupe 1955 (58?). That’s a german top of mind. Does anyone know the repertoire of the debut album?
He IS fantastic!!!
http://www.audiophilia.com/wp/?p=5022
Stars, all.
who cares how he plays: is he gay?