Richard Stoltzman’s music feels like a conversation held in a sun-drenched conservatory. His clarinet tone is famously liquid, possessing a warmth and a wide vibrato that many of his classical peers initially found scandalous, but which listeners find deeply comforting. It is music that occupies the space between formal concert halls and intimate living rooms, maintaining high technical standards while remaining fundamentally approachable and human.
What truly distinguishes Stoltzman is his refusal to stay in the classical lane. He brings a jazz musician’s sense of timing and phrasing to everything he touches, whether it is a Debussy transcription or a contemporary minimalist piece. This crossover sensibility isn't a gimmick; it is a natural extension of his upbringing. His recordings often feature a soft-focus, almost ethereal production quality that makes the instrument sound as though it is breathing directly into your ear.
For those new to his work, Begin Sweet World is the essential entry point, showcasing his ability to transform simple melodies into profound meditations. If you prefer something more structured, his recordings of the clarinet concertos offer a masterclass in how to lead an orchestra with grace rather than force. It is the perfect soundtrack for moments that require mental clarity and emotional calm.
Richard Leslie Stoltzman (born July 12, 1942) is an American clarinetist. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he spent his early years in San Francisco, California, and Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from Woodward High School in 1960. Today, Stoltzman is part of the faculty at the New England Conservatory and Boston University. Stoltzman is perhaps the best-known clarinetist who primarily plays classical music. He has played with over 100 orchestras, as well as with many chamber groups and in many solo recitals. One of them, "Maid with Flaxen Hair", was used by Microsoft as "sample music" on Windows 7 to demonstrate the system's Windows Media Player in 2009. Stoltzman has received numerous awards and has produced an extensive discography. His virtuosity and musicianship were widely celebrated and have made him a highly sought-after concert artist. He's credited for bringing the clarinet to a large audience and changing the image of the instrument. He was sometimes criticized by some of his peers for his unorthodox style of play. In addition to classical repertoire, Stoltzman also plays jazz and was noted for his interest in fusing genres. Some of his recordings, such as his album New York Counterpoint, feature both jazz and modern music. In 1983, Stoltzman commissioned composer/arranger Clare Fischer to write a symphonic work using Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn themes. The result was The Duke, Swee'pea and Me, an eleven-minute orchestral work which Stoltzman performed worldwide.
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