Opus 114 has an exuberant light-hearted opening full of carefree banter, technically most demanding in matter of ensemble. This is followed by a quieter and more sombre mood with horns and strings which leads to the basset horn in arpeggio writing contrasting with the flowing clarinet melody, the instruments moving together as a pair or in imitation of one another. The finale is a gay canter, full of obvious enjoyment in which the technical resources of the solo instruments are exploited to the limit, concluding with a brilliant duet cadenza.
from notes by Hyperion Records Ltd © 1989
