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The Copland has a story that I'd like you to spread to the reviewers and radio programmers when you advertise this SACD. It goes something like this:
Copland wrote his Concerto as a commission for Benny Goodman and he wrote it as he (Copland) wanted it. However, it so happened that the last part of the Finale simply was too difficult for even Benny Goodman and so Copland was forced to rewrite the ending, putting the impossible pyrotechnics in the clarinet into the orchestral piano part instead. All the notes are there, but in the "wrong" instrument. Thus the Concerto has been known to the world.
Now Martin has got hold of the original version, and, being Martin Fröst, he couldn't understand what the problems were - he makes mincemeat out of the difficulties. So he wanted to record the original version instead, and there the song and dance starts. I applied to the Publisher to record the original version, but they refused, referring to the Copland heirs and Foundation. I will save you a blow-by-blow account for the several years' correspondence with the publisher and the Foundation, suffice it to say that Martin's first recording of the piece was the final, "easy" version (BIS-CD-893 from 1998).
Now, when Martin wanted to rerecord the Concerto, he really insisted on using the original version, and the correspondence started again, but to no avail - I was up against a brick wall.
However, I did order both versions to be recorded - just in case - and, finally, when it transpired that another player had illegally recorded the original version (but not really managed the final bit), I sent the Foundation the enclosed soundbit and suggested a compromise, in that the SACD would contain both the original and final versions (making it an 82-minute+ SACD!!). After some laying-down-the-law (literally!) I finally was able to procure the permission, and so this will be the World Première of the legally recorded (with all the notes) Original version of Copland's Concerto. Listen to the relevant part (enclosed).
Also I just cannot stop myself from enclosing the Klezmer (arranged by Martin's brother Göran). Just listen to the world's best clarinetist (and one of the leading musicians in the world at that) letting down his hair with that magnificent band of musicians. There are basically no edits in this piece, just the capturing of a magic moment, now for ever frozen in time in our recording.
