At the first public performance of Brahms's Clarinet Quintet in Berlin on December 12, 1891, the audience, including Hans von Bülow and Adolf Menzel, demanded an encore of the entire quintet, but only the Adagio was repeated.
Composition History
Johannes Brahms was inspired to compose his clarinet works, including the Clarinet Quintet, after hearing a performance of Mozart's Clarinet Quintet in the early 1890s.
Performer Biography
Sharon Kam, the clarinetist on this album, made her orchestral debut at age 16 with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under Zubin Mehta and was supported by Isaac Stern.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Max Reger's Clarinet Quintet in A major, Op. 146, his last completed composition, reflects his pursuit of greater clarity in musical invention and elaboration.
Composer Biography
Richard Mühlfeld, a clarinetist in the Meiningen Court Orchestra, was described by Brahms as the 'best master of his instrument' and inspired Brahms's clarinet compositions.
Composition History
Brahms's Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115, was one of the last works he completed.
Critical Reception
Contemporaries noted that Max Reger's Clarinet Quintet, Op. 146, showed a new clarity, with nothing problematic or incomprehensible, expressing melancholy and resignation with beautiful design.
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