Strange Loops: Clarinet Quintets Album Review - A Masterclass in Drama, Imagination, and Sonic Flair

The album "Strange Loops: Clarinet Quintets," a new release from Signum Records, showcases the exceptional talents of clarinettist Mark van de Wiel performing alongside the esteemed Soloists of the Philharmonia. Van de Wiel, a distinguished musician who held the position of principal clarinet for the Philharmonia Orchestra from 2000 to 2025, brings a wealth of experience and interpretive insight to this recording. His tenure with the Philharmonia, one of the UK's leading orchestras, has been marked by significant contributions, including the UK premiere of Anna Clyne's titular work, "Strange Loops." This premiere itself was a notable event in the contemporary music scene, introducing audiences to Clyne's innovative compositional voice.

The album's central piece, "Strange Loops," by the acclaimed contemporary composer Anna Clyne, derives its title and conceptual framework from Douglas Hofstadter's seminal 1979 book, "Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid." Hofstadter's work delves into the fascinating concept of "strange loops," which are self-referential, hierarchical systems where one can ascend or descend through different levels of abstraction only to find oneself returning to the original starting point. This philosophical and mathematical idea is ingeniously translated into musical form by Clyne.

Composed during the unprecedented period of the COVID-19 lockdown, Clyne's "Strange Loops" is characterized by its klezmer-inflected musical motifs. These motifs are meticulously crafted to embody the 'looping' principle, multiplying and evolving through intricate syncopations and unexpected rhythmic and melodic sidesteps. Despite this complexity, the piece is lauded for its ability to achieve a cohesive and satisfying resolution, offering a listening experience that is both buoyant and tinged with a bittersweet emotional resonance. The performance by Van de Wiel and the Soloists of the Philharmonia – comprising violinists Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay and Fiona Cornall, violist Nicholas Bootiman, and cellist Karen Stephenson – is described as a meticulous realization of Clyne's intricate musical architecture, demonstrating remarkable precision and sensitivity.

While the review primarily focuses on Clyne's "Strange Loops," the album also features works by two significant composers from different eras: Ruth Gipps and Carl Maria von Weber. Ruth Gipps was a British composer and conductor known for her contributions to 20th-century British music, often exploring programmatic and evocative themes. Carl Maria von Weber, a pivotal figure in early Romantic music, is renowned for his operas and instrumental works, including seminal pieces for the clarinet that have become cornerstones of the repertoire. The inclusion of these composers alongside Clyne suggests a thoughtfully curated program that bridges historical and contemporary approaches to the clarinet quintet genre. The overall impression of the album is one of "drama, imagination and sonic flair," promising a diverse and intellectually stimulating journey for the listener, further cementing Van de Wiel's reputation as a leading interpreter of both new and established clarinet repertoire.