“Everything just fits in Mozart’s clarinet quintet”
Andreas Ottensamer loves chamber music. The long-time solo clarinettist of the Berliner Philharmoniker will be performing at Klosters Music on 28 July together with the Schumann Quartet and double bassist Uxía Martínez-Botana. He spoke to Georg Rudiger about saying goodbye to the orchestra, his Mendelssohn arrangements and his passion for sport.
You left the Berliner Philharmoniker in March after fourteen years as solo clarinettist. Why have you taken this step?
It was a wonderful period of my life as a musician that I wouldn’t want to have missed – and which is of course also very valuable for my career as a conductor. Even though I think that all activities complement each other, there are only 24 hours in a day. And you have to focus on what is your priority. For me, that is my path as a conductor. Therefore I decided to leave the orchestra.
Will you have more time for chamber music?
I have always valued chamber music very highly; for me it is almost like the ‘supreme discipline’ of music-making. I won’t necessarily have more time for it now, because I’m currently focussing on creating space for my work as a conductor – but you can be sure that chamber music will continue to be very important to me.
You are coming to Klosters together with the Schumann Quartet, with whom you have already recorded a Mendelssohn album. What do you appreciate about the ensemble?
I’m particularly looking forward to making music together again – it’s always something very special to make a recording together. It creates a special bond. What I particularly appreciate about this quartet is the balance between precision and flexibility. Often only one of these is really present, but the Schumann Quartet performs at the highest level and yet is never constricted or closed to spontaneity.
You wrote the arrangements of Mendelssohn Bartholdy’s “Songs without Words” for clarinet, string quartet and double bass yourself. What was important to you when you were making the arrangements of these piano pieces?
It was a truly wonderful “COVID project” – I suddenly had time to deal with arrangements and arranged these pieces, which I absolutely love, for clarinet and piano, and also for clarinet and strings. I think it’s incredibly important that an arrangement is not just an adaptation of a work, but that it really does bring a new colour, a new creative possibility to the work. I hope that I have succeeded in this case.
You have played Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, which you will also be performing in Klosters, many times with the Schumann Quartet. What do you like about this well-known piece?
What do I like about it…? What do I like about one of the greatest masterpieces in music history…? Everything, I would say! The way Mozart conjures every last idiomatic spark out of the instrument is unique – perhaps even comparable to Brahms in terms of instrumental understanding. Everything just fits together and every time I play this work it’s a pleasure.
Besides music, you have a second great passion – sport. You play football, tennis and golf. What other sports do you enjoy?
Obviously, as an Austrian, I like skiing – otherwise they would take our passports away. I also enjoy water sports like kitesurfing. Actually, I like to try out pretty much everything!
Does that include mountaineering and climbing?
I do that from time to time too – not as often as I’d like to…
Klosters is in the centre of the Grisons Alps. What fascinates you about the mountains?
The mountains radiate immense inspiration and power – “it puts things into perspective”, so to speak. There are also many musical examples of this, such as Richard Strauss’ “Alpine Symphony”. Nature is your best friend and helper when it comes to getting away from it all and finding yourself.
You travel a lot and have a busy schedule. Do you prefer action or peace and quiet in your free time?
It depends… I generally find action more helpful to be able to really switch off mentally – otherwise my head will keep rattling. But if your body needs a rest, you should take it.
What are you looking forward to at your “Amongst Friends” concert as part of Klosters Music?
“Music amongst friends” is also the theme of my own small festival at Bürgenstock, which I have been organising for 10 years – so I’m really looking forward to coming to a like-minded festival. And to my second home when it comes to music, Switzerland!