Customer Reviews

Clarinet Trios

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This recording can be highly recommended to any lover of the clarinet or of chamber music in general. The tone of Collins' clarinet is lovely, and I have never heard a sweeter-sounding cello tone than Isserlis'. This is now my favorite recording of the Brahms trio, but the Fruhling trio was a nice discovery as well. Let's here more Fruhling!

The Fruhling is absolutely astounding. Somewhere between Brahms and Mahler, it plays well and is a fresh work. The delightful mix of cello, clarinet and piano is brilliant. One can hope to hear much more Fruhling in the future, and more chamber music of this high quality. Well done Isserlis and Hough.

Clarinet Trios: Brahms, Schumann, and Fruhling

This CD has music from three different diverse composers, Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), Robert Alexander Schumann (1810-1856), and Carl Fruhling(1868-1937). We have Steven Isserlis on cello, Michael Collins on clarinet and Steven Hough on piano as the three featured artists play their respective instruments giving us a serious take on classical music. Different styles of classical music coming together from different walks of life, making for a very interesting and enjoyable CD.

These are Clarinet Trios, envisioned in the minds of composers, as styles were changing in Classic music through the march of time, but a common theme has transcended these styles. Here we have a snap-shot of the different styles, but with the same effect... a calming relaxation. All brought to us from accomplished musicians with a clear thought about continuity.

First off on this CD is a Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano in A minor, Op. 114 written by Brahms. It has four parts:

1. Allegro 8:07
2. Adagio 8:28
3. Andantino grazioso 4:26
4 Allegro 4:36

Second off this CD is Marchenerzahlungen for Clarinet, Viola(Cello) and Piano Op. 132: by Robert Schumann

1. Lebhaft, nicht zu schnell 2:52
2. Lebhaft und sehr markirt 2:58
3. Ruhiges Tempo, mit zartem Ausdruck 4:13
4. Lebhaft, sehr markirt 4:27

Third off this CD is Trio for Clarinet, Cello,and Piano in A Minor, Op. 40 by Carl Fruhling
1. Big schnell 6:49
2. Anmutig bewegt 5:44
3. Andante 8:37
4. Allegro vivace 5:16

The fourth piece is Traumerei by Robert Schumann 2:46

This music is very relaxing and is soothing and nourishes the soul and not assaults your hearing. The musicianship and artistry between the artists works well for these Clarinet Trios giving the listener a continuity in the general tone, mood and timbre between these musical compositions.

This is a RCA recording from the Legacy edition. I was pleased at the quality of the music on this CD it is engineered well. If you are looking for a relaxing CD with a chamber music flare than this is the CD that you need to buy. I gave this CD 5 stars, for the originality of the composers and the artists do a wonderful job conveying the music to the listener, calm, enjoyable, relaxing and most of all this music fits together well even over the time period. Keep in mind this is classical music, but its propose is to reflex and give an introspective look into your mind, giving you a feeling of relaxation. It does that very well.