RECORDINGS : Rekindling Romance With Weber

Two brilliantly and sensitively performed albums focus on the heaven-sent, endlessly melodious, ripe-for-revival music of Weber, one of the important founders of German Romanticism.

On the first, chamber music for clarinet--including the Quintet, for clarinet and strings, the Grand Duo Concertant, Seven Variations (clarinet and piano) and Introduction, Theme & Variations--makes an irresistible program.

It is played with probing detail by the resourceful Shifrin, assisted by pianist Golub and by seven string players of the Lincoln Center Society. The American clarinetist finds all the contrasting nooks and crannies of this repertory and digs deep into its well of tone-poetry. In the Duo and Seven Variations, Golub matches him, virtuosity for virtuosity, and the result is breathtaking. For their part, the strings play up to the Society’s now-familiar, high standard.

On the other CD, which includes Weber’s two piano concertos and two single movement pieces--all of them thick with quick-notes and technical traps--German pianist Gerhard Oppitz proves himself a prestidigitating performer of wondrous art and controlled pianistic colors.

Whether in acrobatic keyboard feats or, even more impressive, cantabile lines, Oppitz single-mindedly makes this old-fashioned music relevant and beautiful again. The Bavarian orchestra contributes handsomely, and conductor Davis holds it all together with palpable affection.

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).