27.06.25 | NCO’s clarinettist Elizabeth Jordan releases Kaleidoscope
Discover the remarkable versatility of the clarinet with Elizabeth Jordan’s new album: Kaleidoscope. Spanning nearly 275 years of repertoire, the recording journeys from one of the earliest works for piccolo clarinet by Johann Melchior Molter, through Jean Françaix’s cheerful and witty concerto, to the moody, atmospheric Nocturne by Stephen Barlow—composed for clarinet, marimba and strings.
“Kaleidoscope showcases some of the members of the clarinet family and their ability to be versatile, almost chameleon-like in adapting to style and range of emotional mood and genre”, says Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Jordan
A collaboration Beethoven would have envied
The album is recorded with the Northern Chamber Orchestra, percussionist Tim Williams, and composer-conductor Stephen Barlow – who also performs on harpsichord. “Working with NCO is always a joyous experience”, says Elizabeth. “They rise to a challenge and unfailingly bring to the table a terrific sense of energy, care and above all commitment.”
One of the pieces featured on this album is composed by Stephen Barlow, who has worked with the NCO previously. Stephen: “Elizabeth is a joy to work with. And I love working with the NCO, always have done since we first met. I love their sensitivity, their openness to music they don’t know, their innate sense of making intimate chamber orchestra playing so detailed, and their ability to cross so stylishly with certainty from Bach to Verdi. I felt privileged benefiting from their commitment to my own contemporary piece, ’Nocturne’ with such alacrity.”
Stephen Barlow
Both Elizabeth and Stephen credit their longstanding relationship with the NCO for the success of this project. “There was a constant and immense sense of support from my colleagues as we negotiated our way through this very demanding repertoire”, says Elizabeth. Stephen adds: “We were able to talk much around each piece on this disc, looking for a mutual understanding which is invaluable for soloist and conductor, let alone composer and soloist – a deep pleasure Beethoven himself would surely be jealous of!”
Order Kaleidoscope or listen online
Kaleidoscope is now available on Amazon and Presto Music.
You can also listen online on the following streaming services:
We hope to have copies available for purchase at NCO concerts in Macclesfield, starting September 2025.
Do you want to know know more about the music on this album and the recording process? Sign up for our newsletter to receive upcoming interviews with Elizabeth Jordan and Stephen Barlow, as they reflect further on the making of Kaleidoscope.
