Brahms and Rózsa clarinet sonatas
Johannes Brahms 1833-1897
Miklós Rózsa 1907-1995
Jean Johnson - clarinet
A “double life” is what the Hungarian-born Miklos Rozsa called his career after his immigration to the United States and his rise to the ranks of Hollywood’s foremost film composers. Alongside iconic scores such as the one for Hitchcock’s “Spellbound,” he continued to craft elegant concert pieces like the Sonatina for solo clarinet and Sonata for solo clarinet featured on this fine recording by the poised clarinetist Jean Johnson. Beautiful renditions of Brahms’s Clarinet Sonatas Nos. 1 and 2 round out this lovely album.
— The New York Times
For me, the challenge with Brahms is always to find a performer who captures all of his tenderness and longing without lapsing into sappiness and bombast. Clarinetist Jean Johnson (and her superb accompanist Steven Osborne) strike that balance perfectly on this spectacular recording.
— cdhotlist.com
Tracklisting
Brahms - Clarinet Sonata No.1 in F minor Op.120 No.1
I. Allegro appassionato
II. Andante un poco adagio
III. Allegretto grazioso
IV. Vivace
Brahms - Clarinet Sonata No.2 in E flat Op.120 No.2
I. Allegro amabile
II. Allegro appassionato - Sostenuto - Tempo I
III. Andante con moto - Allegro
Rózsa - Sonatina for solo clarinet Op.27
I. Tema con variazioni
II. Vivo e giocoso
Rózsa - Sonata for solo clarinet Op.41
I. Allegro con spirito
II. Andante semplice
III. Allegro capriccioso