Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto was written between 1947 and 1949, although a first version was available in 1948.
The renowned jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman asked Copland to compose the work for him. The result was a two-movement concerto: the first section is one of Copland’s most lyrical and melodious creations; the second is in an all-out jazzy style. The movements are connected by a cadenza for the soloist.
The concerto was later choreographed by Jerome Robbins for the ballet Pied Piper (1951).
Here is the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra in a performance of this wonderful work:
