Composer: Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann
Performer: James Ehnes, Andrew Armstrong
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Onyx
Catalogue: ONYX4256
Release: 2024
Size: 2.09 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
01. I. Nicht schnell
02. II. Lebhaft
03. III. Rasch
04. IV. Langsam, mit melancholischem Ausdruck
Brahms: Clarinet Sonata No. 1, Op. 120 No. 1 (Version for Viola)
05. I. Allegro appassionato
06. II. Andante un poco adagio
07. III. Allegretto grazioso
08. IV. Vivace
Brahms: Clarinet Sonata No. 2, Op. 120 No. 2 (Version for Viola)
09. I. Allegro amabile
10. II. Allegro appassionato
11. III. Andante con moto – Allegro non troppo
12. Brahms: Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No. 4 (Lullaby)
James Ehnes picks up the viola for his first recording of the two Brahms sonatas Op.120 of 1894, in the composer’s arrangement for viola and piano. Originally written for clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld, Brahms made subtle changes for the viola versions, and in so doing he greatly enriched the meagre viola sonata repertoire with these two late masterpieces. Schumann composed his Märchenbilder (Fairy Tale Pictures) in a few days in March 1851. They are imbued with a potent sense of fantasy – imagination runs riot, from melancholy to drama. James Ehnes plays on the 1696 ‘Achinto’ Stradivari viola for this recording, courtesy of the Royal Academy of Music.