Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas and Trio

Leister (Artist), Karl: clarinet..... (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nimbus Records
• ASIN: B00000J7VL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,694 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clarinetist reviews, March 24, 2005

By 

Joel Schekman (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas and Trio (Audio CD)

Karl Leister is a clarinetist's clarinetist- and this is some of his best playing. His playing is not only a great example of the German clarinet sound but also the clarinet sound in general-a warm, dark, pure sound. Although Stoltzman is an innovator and a one-of-a-kind musician, Leister on the other hand is someone who exemplifies a "school" of clarinet playing- one that other people can follow and work with and produce their own unique sound within a certain framework (In no way would I elect Stoltzman as a representative of the "American" school of playing- most American clarinetists in fact do not sound like him). It is this reason why I would chose, as a clarinetist and musician, a Leister interpretation over a Stoltzman interpretation any day. For those who complain that this type of playing lacks emotion and passion I would say stick around and keep listening- your tastes may change!

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best interpretation!, August 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas and Trio (Audio CD)

No showy movements that are popular among American clarinettists. If you prefer Americanized Brahms, this disc is obviously not recommendable, but you like genuine Brahms in the European style, this is one of the best CDs which I have ever heard.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interpretations Lacking in Depth, July 23, 2001

By 

John Marco (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas and Trio (Audio CD)

In Karl Leister we have the polar opposite of Richard Stoltzman. Stoltzman's phrasing is unenduringly cloying. Leister's will cure insomnia. Leister is an expert clarinetist. (How else could he have been first desk of the Berlin Philharmonic?) However, when he plays solo and chamber repertoire, he demonstrates little zest or imagination. The late works of Brahms call for a penetrating musicianship that is lacking in these interpretations.