This recording brings together two late masterworks by Brahms: the Clarinet Sonatas Op. 120 and the Intermezzos for piano Op. 117, written in the quiet surroundings of Bad Ischl. The sonatas, full of tenderness and quiet intensity, were composed for clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld, whose warm, lyrical playing rekindled Brahms' desire to compose after a period of silence. This is music of dialogue, not of declaration.
Nicola Boud and Anthony Romaniuk play on instruments that closely resemble those that Brahms and Mühlfeld would have known: a replica of Mühlfeld's 19th-century boxwood clarinet and a Steinway piano from 1875. These choices give the sound a soft, transparent quality, inviting a more intimate listening experience. Expressive instruments of 19th-century performance: rubato, flexibility, arpeggio, are not used as effects, but as natural extensions of the emotional landscape of the music.
Brahms called the Op. 117 Intermezzos "three lullabies of my sorrow." These restrained yet luminous pieces distill his late style into elegiac monologues, creating silent spaces where time seems to stand still. Together, these warm, contemplative and deeply emotional works offer a glimpse into Brahms' final years.
We use necessary cookies to make the site work. With your consent we also measure visits anonymously (Google Analytics) to improve the site.
More in our cookie policy.
