Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas, Op. 120; Vier ernste Gesänge. Op. 121 (arr. for piano)

On this CD:

1. Sonata for Clarinet (or viola) & Piano No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120/1
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Dieter Klocker, Claudius Tanski

2. Vier ernste Gesänge (4), for voice & piano (Four Serious Songs), Op. 121
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Dieter Klocker, Claudius Tanski

3. Sonata for Clarinet (or viola) & Piano No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 120/2
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Dieter Klocker, Claudius Tanski

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
On first hearing this disc, one may be put off by the sound of the instruments. The piano's somewhat curdled upper octave and grumbly low end, and the clarinet's shallow tone and out-of-tune notes above and below the break, sound suspicious to say the least. But read the fine print: the artists used a 1901 Steinway D and a vintage-1905 German clarinet, i.e., this is Brahms on period instruments. Knowing that, one can listen with unalloyed pleasure, struck by the consummate mastery Brahms showed in these end-of-the-line works, and by the feeling that emerges in such a surprising way, as though the composer had finally reached the point where he could confide his innermost regrets and longings to the listener. Klöcker and Tanski serve the music well, in performances of seamless continuity and grace. --Ted Libbey

Tracks:

Son, Op.120 No.1 in f: Allegro Appassionato
Son, Op.120 No.1 in f: Andante Un Poco Adagio
Son, Op.120 No.1 in f: Allegretto Grazioso
Son, Op.120 No.1 in f: Vivace
Vier Ernste Gesange Op.121: Denn Es Gehet Dem Menschen
Vier Ernste Gesange Op.121: Ich Wandte Mich Und Sahe
Vier Ernste Gesange Op.121: O Tod, Wie Bitter Bist Du
Vier Ernste Gesange Op.121: Wenn Ich Mit Menschen Und Mit Engelszungen Redete
Son, Op.120 No.2 in E flat: Allegro Amabile
Son, Op.120 No.2 in E flat: Allegro Appassionato
Son, Op.120 No.2 in E flat: Andante Con Moto

Amazon.com

On first hearing this disc, one may be put off by the sound of the instruments. The piano's somewhat curdled upper octave and grumbly low end, and the clarinet's shallow tone and out-of-tune notes above and below the break, sound suspicious to say the least. But read the fine print: the artists used a 1901 Steinway D and a vintage-1905 German clarinet, i.e., this is Brahms on period instruments. Knowing that, one can listen with unalloyed pleasure, struck by the consummate mastery Brahms showed in these end-of-the-line works, and by the feeling that emerges in such a surprising way, as though the composer had finally reached the point where he could confide his innermost regrets and longings to the listener. Klöcker and Tanski serve the music well, in performances of seamless continuity and grace. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

The Best Recording of the Clarinet Sonatas..........2005-05-27

This is simply the best recording of the clarinet sonatas. Plus, Reger's piano reductions of the Four Earnest Songs--(pace Wilde)--are like having four new extended intermezzi by the late Brahms: wonderful!

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