Air Expressions
Which woodwind instrument has the most powerful expression and air if in solo?

Wow -- good question.

For me it's a toss-up between the clarinet and the cor anglais.

The clarinet has the advantage because of it's three distinct registers -- almost three instruments in one. But the tone of the cor anglais is like no other -- warmer and richer than the oboe, more versatile than the bassoon, and closer to a vocal range. I am surprised it is not used in more literature than it is.

I'm gonna go with the cor. Tough choice.

Cheers

Glinzek