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The Clarinet Pages |
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Bozza - Aria |
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Clarinet Sonata Op.120, No.1 in F minor (1894) Allegro appassionato - Andante un poco adagio - Allegretto grazioso - Vivace Programme Note Brahms composed both his Sonatas for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120 in 1894 for Richard Mühlfeld, who performed them with the composer in January the following year. The first sonata, in F minor, begins starkly with a piano phrase in octaves, though even at the clarinet entry in bar 4 the music lacks Brahms's characteristic richness of texture. The clarinet melody itself is a mix of lyricism and angularity. The furtive second subject (bar 53) is in C minor, climaxing with some semiquaver passagework. The development section is clearly delineated, beginning in bar 90 with a melody taken from the end of the first subject. We pass through some distantly related keys, before returning to F minor in bar 138. Here the clarinet recapitulates, initally an octave lower but soon returning via a arpeggio flourish to its original level. The second main first subject phrase is replaced by an anguished series of leaps, setting the stage for the recapitulation of the second subject in the tonic F minor. The final coda provides a new melody, derived from previous material, and offers a burst of concentrated emotion. The andante second movement is particularly serene, once again texturally austere to begin with; its form is ternary, the first theme restated (as in the first movement) at an octave below its original pitch. The triple-time Allegro grazioso exhibits motifs that could be traced to the first movement, though for the most part its mood is pleasant. The more sombre middle section is the final appearance of F minor. The Vivace finale is a rondo in F major, its main refrain the bell-like tolling of three repeated notes. This motif is present throughout except in the minor-key central section. The final appearance of the theme is delayed by the repetition of the first episode, a lilting triplet passage rescored for the piano (over which the clarinet drones), while the sonata ends with ever-greater interplay between the instruments. Suggested recordings Both Sonatas and the Trio performed by Karl Leister, at full price Both Sonata performed by Kalman Berkes (Naxos label) at budget price. Sheet Music The Wiener Urtext edition by Schott is available from Musicroom.com. Sheet Music Plus (USA) stock the Carl Fischer edition, and a G. Henle edition featuring both clarinet sonatas in one volume. Books Ivor Keys, Brahms Chamber Music, BBC Music Guide. Useful Weblinks Notes on performing the Sonata from Sherman Friedland Profile from BBC Online The Brahms Websource Biography from Naxos records Information about Brahms from the Austrian Tourist Board A comprehensive set of links Brahms Midi Files Back to the Clarinet Pages... |
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