Brahms & Reinecke: Works for Clarinet & Piano

Featuring

Michael Collins
Michael McHale
Johannes Brahms
Carl Reinecke

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Compositional Technique

Carl Reinecke's Sonata 'Undine' features formal peculiarities, especially in its inner movements, which juxtapose fast and slow music in unexpected ways, reminiscent of Schumann's Kreisleriana.

Composer Biography

Brahms's clarinet music is closely tied to the performance style of Richard Mühlfeld, the principal clarinettist of the Meiningen Court Orchestra, whom Brahms affectionately called 'Fräulein Klarinette'.

Performer Biography

Michael Collins, a leading clarinettist, received the Instrumentalist of the Year Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society in 2007 for his pivotal role in expanding the clarinet repertoire through commissioning new works.

Composition History

Johannes Brahms, after planning his will and declaring his compositional career over in late 1890, was inspired to compose again after hearing clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld play in March 1891.

Recording & Production

This Chandos recording utilizes 24-bit / 96 kHz technology, which offers a dynamic range up to 48 dB greater and 256 times the resolution of standard 16-bit recordings, aiming for a better sound reproduction.

Compositional Technique

Brahms's Clarinet Sonata Op. 120 No. 2, despite its three-movement structure, is designed to unfold as a single, continuous work, partly due to all movements being in the tonic key and a circular variation structure in the finale.