Three of Brahms's late works for clarinet – his final chamber compositions – are performed by clarinettist Joseph Shiner and pianist Somi Kim. The two Clarinet Sonatas op. 120 are contrasting works, one major, one minor, but both are lyrical and wistful. For the Trio in A minor op. 114, Shiner and Kim are joined by cellist Yoanna Prodanova.
Featuring
Joseph Shiner
Yoanna Prodanova
Somi Kim
Johannes Brahms
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Composer Biography
Brahms affectionately referred to Richard Mühlfeld, the clarinettist who inspired his late clarinet works, as 'the nightingale of the orchestra' and even 'Fräulein Klarinette'.
Composition History
The two Clarinet Sonatas, Op. 120, were written by Brahms for Richard Mühlfeld in 1894 and first tried out at Duke Georg's summer palace.
Notable Performances
The first performances of Brahms's Clarinet Trio and Quintet took place in the private apartments of Duke Georg of Saxe-Meiningen, with Brahms at the piano, Mühlfeld on clarinet, and Robert Hausmann on cello for the Trio.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded from May 1st to 3rd, 2018, at Wyastone, Monmouth, UK, courtesy of Nimbus Records.
Composition History
The Clarinet Trio, Op. 114, and the Clarinet Quintet, Op. 115, were composed by Brahms during his summer holiday in Bad Ischl in 1891.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Brahms referred to his Clarinet Sonatas as 'undemanding' in a letter to Joseph Joachim and even mused about giving them away as a 'farewell present' to a Dr. Abraham, showing his self-deprecating humor.
Composition History
Brahms was inspired to postpone his retirement as a composer and write chamber pieces for clarinet after hearing Richard Mühlfeld, a clarinettist from Meiningen, play in March 1891.
