| Site review by Polly Nomial December 10, 2005
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
A mainly wonderful disc of some of Brahms' finest chamber music.
The clarinet sonatas are sometimes heard in a guise (sanctioned by Brahms) with the viola taking the limelight, here though they are presented as originally intended.
In the first sonata, the Allegro appassionato quickly builds a sense of drama without either Fröst or Pöntinen indulging in histrionics. The Andante un poco Adagio opens with a touching sense of, well almost emotional emptiness as though the struggles of the first movement were too much. The following Allegretto grazioso (a pseudo-Waltz) emerges as if Brahms had recovered from his attack of melancholy and was overcome with joy. The concluding finale here dances away without a care in the world in this performance - not too fast but very light on its feet! Whoever says that Brahms doesn't make them smile should listen to Fröst & Pöntinen play this movement.
The second sonata opens with a gentle smile on its (musical) face and is an absolute joy for clarinet and piano fans alike. The second movement is another pseudo-Waltz but marked appassionato instead of grazioso (a mood which surprises one after the sunny opening). The third movement (Andante con moto - Allegro) has a track for each tempo, a nice touch so that one can quickly find the transition point.
The concluding trio, is a more sombre affair than either of the sonatas, opening with a plaintive cello melody before an edgy piano & clarinet motive makes an appearance. It is more overtly dramatic than the sonatas and makes a welcome contrast. The Adagio is taken a bit too quickly for my liking (they take it at one-in-a-bar so it becomes almost like a waltz) and the succeeding Andantino grazioso, though very well played, is then a bit too similar in character. The Allegro finale is again very turbulent and is very well played.
The engineering is superb for all pieces, though we are placed towards the front of the hall - the clarinet sounds of blowing are very clear!
(Purchased)
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Copyright © 2005 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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| Review by nickc January 28, 2006 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
Three late, radiant clarinet masterpieces from Brahms in a very generous 67' coupling.
The first sonata is dramatic, the second melting and mellifluous - both around 20' long.
The trio is the darkest and perhaps greatest work on this disc - what a lovely combination piano cello and clarinet is! The playing in all three pieces is absolutely impeccable.
The sound in MC is excellent yet I have to raise like I did in my review of Frost's Mozart BIS disc that when the volume level rises from Frost you can hear a hissing from the clarinet. I have only ever heard clarinets live in orchestral settings so obviously it is just how the air moves through the instrument, yet it is there nonetheless.
In comparison I put on a Philips Duo of George Pieterson and Hepzibah Menuhin playing these self-same sonatas and I couldn't really hear the hissing - I suppose there can be slight downsides to the greater clarity of SACD! In all other respects (especially the sound of the piano) the sound of this BIS disc is immeasurably superior - and of course the 90% of the time there is no hissing Frost's tone is limpid and beautiful.
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| Review by jmvilleneuve March 26, 2006 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
I already own an SACD showcasing Martin Fröst playing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto and Quintet (with strings). Despite a nice sound and virtuoso level technique I did not like this recording because I found his approach to the music much too cold and technical.
Here there is no trace of these problems with the exception of a single (slow) movement. Maybe the clarinet player has gained in maturity, or has simply a better relationship with Brahms music.
This is rare with me (because I hate dry, close sound take recordings) but in the 2 sonatas I think the sound take is a little bit too far away and reverberant. The clarinet sound loose a bit of body.
But in the trio the recording is a bit closer and perfect (for my own taste).
In terms of playing I was particularly impressed by the way the piano and clarinet player follow the numerous nuances written in the score. Also I really like the romantic piano playing of Roland Pöntinen. In certain ways his piano sings better than the clarinet.
Similarly the trio is very well played with a very good balance between the sound of the 3 players. Here I can hear exactly where each musician his positioned. The playing is very dramatic and again the musicians are very careful to follow dynamics indication. My favorite part is the end of the first movement with the inversed arpegios at the cello and clarinet.
The only small problem is the heavy breathing by the cellist. As for the hissing sound, this is air blowing through the corner of the clarinet player mouth. This is nearly unavoidable when playing really lound, but a beter embouchure (lip control) should minimize these problems. In other word the clarinet player could do better with this.
For a more complete review (and others)
http://www.geocities.com/jmserre/ENBrahmsFrost.html
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| Review by terence April 14, 2006 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
a lovely disc, very fresh and unpretentious in spirit. sonically it's very good - a clear, uncluttered ambience, with good tonal fidelity to the instruments.
to be hypercritical there's just a TOUCH of smearing of the clarinet's instrumental image (especially in its warm middle range), probably due to a slight engineering miscalculation on controlling reverberation. this is also detectable as a SLIGHT (but only slight) blurring of some detail in the piano part in its busier sections. but these are small considerations. sound overall is very pleasing.
many felicitous touches in the interpretations, with no grandstanding or over-inflation stylistically. it's arguable that the pianist is a little TOO concessive here and there, but far better that than clangorously seeking attention. clarinettist martin fröst is consistently excellent.
a warm recommendation!
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