Sonata for clarinet (or viola) & piano No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120/1
Märchenbilder for viola (or violin) & piano, Op. 113
Sonata for clarinet (or viola) & piano No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 120/2
Though few works showcasing the viola emerged from the 19th century, many of those that did were not only exemplary works for the viola, but consummate chamber works in general. Heading the list are the two sonatas of Brahms' Op. 120. While originally conceived for the clarinet and his new-found friend Richard Mühlfeld, Brahms' decision to suggest the viola as an alternate instrument was not a hasty decision. Both of the Op. 120 Sonatas play to the viola's rich, somber timbre and the more pensive, reflective mood it is ...
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Though few works showcasing the viola emerged from the 19th century, many of those that did were not only exemplary works for the viola, but consummate chamber works in general. Heading the list are the two sonatas of Brahms' Op. 120. While originally conceived for the clarinet and his new-found friend Richard Mühlfeld, Brahms' decision to suggest the viola as an alternate instrument was not a hasty decision. Both of the Op. 120 Sonatas play to the viola's rich, somber timbre and the more pensive, reflective mood it is capable of projecting. Nearly four decades earlier, Robert Schumann made the uncustomary decision to pen his Op. 113 Marchenbilder (Fairy Tale Pictures) for viola and piano. Here again, the viola's unique sound is ideally suited for the unnamed characters Schumann attemps to portray musically. Performing on this Avi disc are violist Rachel Roberts and pianist Lars Vogt. Roberts' extensive experience as an orchestral musician ensures that her playing is meticulously clean, well-in tune,...
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