Brahms: Clarinet Trio/The Clarinet Sonatas: - Johannes Brahms [CD]

Joseph Shiner and Somi Kim perform the last chamber works ever written by Brahms: his clarinet sonatas, heard here alongside his sublime clarinet trio, for which they are joined by cellist Yoanna Prodanova. Brahms was so enchanted by the playing of clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld that he came out of retirement in order to write four chamber works for the soloist. Three of those works are featured on this album, interpreted by the exciting up-and-coming clarinetist Joseph Shiner, with Somi Kim at the piano and, for the trio, cellist Yoanna Prodanova. As so often in Brahmss paired works, the two sonatas have contrasting characters, the second gentler than the first, although both are highly nuanced, balancing taut structures with expressive, often wistful lyricism. The trio is an expansive piece which includes in its first movement a theme originally intended for what would have been Brahms' 'Fifth Symphony'.

Disc 1
1. I. Allegro (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim/Yoanna Prodanova
2. II. Adagio (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim/Yoanna Prodanova
3. III. Andantino Grazioso (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim/Yoanna Prodanova
4. IV. Allegro (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim/Yoanna Prodanova
5. I. Allegro Appassionato (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim
6. II. Andante Un Poco Adagio (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim
7. III. Allegretto Grazioso (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim
8. IV. Vivace (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim
9. I. Allegro Amabile (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim
10. II. Allegro Appassionato (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim
11. III. Andante Con Moto - Allegro (Johannes Brahms) - Joseph Shiner/Somi Kim