Robert Plane’s recording of Mark Boden’s “perfectly conceived” Clarinet Concerto was broadcast during an episode BBC Radio 3’s ‘Classical Live’ earlier this month.

Host Tom McKinney introduced Robert as an “outstanding clarinettist”, going on to say that “he’s become such an important figure for the clarinet, bringing forgotten music back into concert halls, recording so many pieces for the very first time, digging into archives, and helping to promote neglected British composers”.

Robert’s tireless advocacy for contemporary composers has led to work with many of today’s leading composers, and his album ‘Isotonic’ celebrates the results of the intense and very personal collaborations between Plane and the composers Diana Burrell, Huw Watkins, Mark David Boden and Sarah Frances Jenkins. Recorded with the BBC Philharmonic under the direction of conductor Geoffrey Paterson, the disc was released on Resonus in 2023.

Boden’s Clarinet Concerto was composed for Robert in 2018 during his time as principal clarinet of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. In addition to sharing a musical circle, Mark and Robert are both committed long-distance runners, and this became the inspiration for the work. Structured like a marathon, the opening movement ‘Adrenaline’ is followed by ‘Isotonic’ and ‘Threshold’, ending with ‘Hypertension’.

At the time of its release, the British Music Society wrote of Robert’s recording that “in every register Mr Plane’s tone is one of liquid gold … this work is pure joy from beginning to end.”

The episode on which Robert’s performance is featured may be heard until 6th March, and can be accessed via this link, with the segment relating to this recording beginning at 36:05. To learn more about Robert’s upcoming engagements, please click here.