Theme and Variations

Thoughts and experiences of exploring classical, jazz, and other art music.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Brahms and the Clarinet Part 1

The next installment about Brahms takes place near the end of his life, after he had declared he had retired from composing in 1890. However, during a trip to Meiningen in 1891, he was enthralled with the talents of a clarinet player named Richard Muhlfeld. What followed was a trio, quintet, and some sonatas.

Of the two, it seems that the quintet is the more popular, though I personally prefer the trio. I have a handful of recordings of these works, which were part of CDs I acquired for other works on the albums. Having spent some time with these works, however, I've come to really like them. I'll start with the quintet.

One version of this work I have is that of the Tokyo String Quartet featuring JE Lluna on clarinet. On first listen, it seemed to me that the quartet was attacking the music, rather than playing it. Of the three versions I have, I like this one the least, and I think I'm even going to put it on eBay or something. It includes the clarinet trio, which I didn't give much of a listen, based on my displeasure with the quintet. Looking back at my listening notes, I read "Another deep listen of the Tokyo Quartet version does not strike me as harsh...A very workman-like performance that isn't bad per se; just not as likable as the other two."

The Berlin Philharmonic Octet performs on the Philips 2-CD set Brahms: The Complete Quintets. Aside from the clarinet quintet, the piano and two string quintets are on this collection. To my taste the Berlin Octet (members of the octet, actually) performed the work much more romantically, rather than in attack mode as by the Tokyo Quartet. It seemed much more pleasant at the outset. From my notes: "I find this version the most pleasing. While the other two are good, at the end of the [Berlin Octet version] I feel as if I've been present at a sublime experience."

The third recording features the Brahms Double Concerto, but also has the Capucon Quartet with Paul Meyer on the clarinet. This recording has amazing sound; every note is played to its fullest (fullest what? sound quality, failing to find a better word), with a bit of filigree. Their third movement reminds me of frolic through a meadow. The last movement returns to minor mode, ending in a bittersweet chord. This movement taught me a lot about how much sound can be produced from just a few instruments.

(Clarinet Trio to follow)

14 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello, this weekend is pleasant in support of me, since this occasion i
am reading this impressive informative article here
at my home.

Review my webpage - クロエバッグ

4:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really
well written article. I will be sure to bookmark
it and come back to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.

Feel free to surf to my webpage - トリーバーチ通販

8:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very good blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers?
I'm hoping to start my own website soon but I'm a little lost on everything.

Would you suggest starting with a free platform like Wordpress
or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I'm completely overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Thanks!

My weblog; トリーバーチ靴

3:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe this web site needs
much more attention. I'll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the information!

Look into my web-site: miu miu 財布

3:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You should be a part of a contest for one
of the greatest websites on the web. I am going to recommend this web
site!

Also visit my web page トリーバーチ アウトレット

10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am really grateful to the holder of this site who has shared this impressive piece of writing at at this time.


my webpage :: ルブタン靴

2:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This post posted at this web site is genuinely nice.


Also visit my web site - クロエバッグ

3:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's a pity you don't have a donate button! I'd certainly
donate to this outstanding blog! I guess for now i'll
settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!

my page ... real racing 3 hacker

10:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Terrific post but I was wondering if you could write a litte
more on this subject? I'd be very thankful if you could elaborate
a little bit more. Appreciate it!

Also visit my blog :: {used transmissions portland []

11:00 PM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

longchamp outlet online, true religion, ray ban sunglasses, polo ralph lauren, michael kors outlet online, louis vuitton outlet online, red bottom shoes, burberry outlet online, michael kors outlet, nike air max, kate spade handbags, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet online, louis vuitton outlet, oakley sunglasses, jordan shoes, longchamp handbags, ray ban outlet, prada outlet, coach outlet, christian louboutin, louis vuitton outlet, gucci handbags, coach outlet, oakley vault, cheap oakley sunglasses, chanel handbags, nike free, tory burch outlet, nike shoes, coach outlet store online, burberry outlet online, polo ralph lauren outlet, christian louboutin shoes, true religion outlet, coach purses, michael kors outlet store, kate spade outlet online, prada handbags, longchamp outlet, nike air max, louis vuitton, tiffany jewelry, tiffany and co jewelry, christian louboutin outlet

2:06 AM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

longchamp outlet online, true religion, ray ban sunglasses, polo ralph lauren, michael kors outlet online, louis vuitton outlet online, red bottom shoes, burberry outlet online, michael kors outlet, nike air max, kate spade handbags, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet online, louis vuitton outlet, oakley sunglasses, jordan shoes, longchamp handbags, ray ban outlet, prada outlet, coach outlet, christian louboutin, louis vuitton outlet, gucci handbags, coach outlet, oakley vault, cheap oakley sunglasses, chanel handbags, nike free, tory burch outlet, nike shoes, coach outlet store online, burberry outlet online, polo ralph lauren outlet, christian louboutin shoes, true religion outlet, coach purses, michael kors outlet store, kate spade outlet online, prada handbags, longchamp outlet, nike air max, louis vuitton, tiffany jewelry, tiffany and co jewelry, christian louboutin outlet

2:08 AM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

chi flat iron, mac cosmetics, soccer shoes, jimmy choo shoes, birkin bag, rolex watches, ferragamo shoes, canada goose, vans outlet, instyler ionic styler, uggs outlet, canada goose outlet, soccer jerseys, north face jackets, babyliss pro, wedding dresses, p90x workout, giuseppe zanotti, mcm handbags, ugg outlet, asics shoes, celine handbags, ghd, nike huarache, bottega veneta, insanity workout, abercrombie and fitch, herve leger, ugg boots, nike trainers, ugg soldes, marc jacobs outlet, beats headphones, hollister, mont blanc pens, reebok shoes, canada goose outlet, lululemon outlet, valentino shoes, longchamp, north face outlet, nfl jerseys, new balance outlet, roshe run, ugg, canada goose outlet, uggs on sale

2:14 AM  
Blogger sdfsdfd said...

I know eh they're letting people in as the numbers increase in Africa and notice how the abolish story watch this news our God in control is known for media cover-ups you hear about the escalation deaths in Africa you don't hear about people flying and now it's just of.

http://binaryoptionpay.com/
http://findbinaryoption.com/
http://findbestbinaryoption.com/
http://findtopbinaryoption.com/
http://binaryoptiontopbroker.com/
http://binaryoptionwork.com/
http://binaryoptionworkhelp.com/
http://binaryoptionworksupport.com/
http://listedbinaryoption.com/
http://reliablebinaryoption.com/

3:30 AM  
Blogger raybanoutlet001 said...

michael kors handbags
nike air huarache
true religion outlet store
oakley sunglasses
toms shoes
michael kors handbags
polo ralph lauren
chicago bulls jersey
longchamp handbags
christian louboutin shoes
2017.8.8

1:52 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home