“BEGIN SWEET WORLD.” Richard Stoltzman, clarinet. RCA...

“BEGIN SWEET WORLD.” Richard Stoltzman, clarinet. RCA RCD1-7124 (compact disc). Stoltzman again shows off his versatility in unpretentious music that ranges from a successful arrangement of “Amazing Grace” through a dozen pieces by Bach, Debussy, Faure and jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. In Stoltzman’s knowing hands, the clarinet becomes a delicate instrument, whether it is on Debussy’s Preludes or “Blue Monk.” Bill Douglas, who contributes several quiet pieces, plays piano and bassoon; Jeremy Wall is on synthesizers and Eddie Gomez plays bass (brilliantly on “Amazing Grace”). The sound is lifelike.