Ottensamer presents a dazzling selection of the clarinet’s early repertoire from 18th Century Mannheim, with works by J. and C.P. Stamitz, Mozart and Danzi, together with the Kammerakademie Potsdam. Featuring duets with Albrecht Mayer and Emmanuel Pahud - two of the great wind soloists of our time and Ottensamer’s friends and colleagues at the Berliner Philharmoniker. It promises to be the chamber recording of the year. The "Mannheim school" was a melting pot of “revolutionary experimentation” - musicians from all over Europe coming together to develop a new explosive and colourful sound – forming the orchestra as we know it today. The Mannheim Orchestra was also the first to adopt the recently developed clarinet into the orchestra, and here Mozart heard the instrument for the first time. “It’s fascinating to think that Mannheim inspired so many composers and musicians, and it was the players themselves who made it happen – it gave them the chance to do their own thing. Every aspect of composition, playing, teaching and conducting was concentrated there, and audiences went wild, blown away by the kind of rock-star ensemble that they heard.” Andreas Ottensamer Ottensamer’s debut album on Decca Classics – the first clarinettist to sign exclusively to the label in its 89 year history.