Search - Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann :: Brahms: Clarinet Sonata In E Flat/Clarinet Sonata In F/Schumann: Fantasiestücke,Op.73

Shifrin, Rosenberger, Brahms, and Schumann-Four Artists

05/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After hearing every important recording of these great works, I consider David Shifrin's and Carol Rosenberger's account deeply satisfying. Shifrin's warm tone and supple intonation are combined with artistic interpretation. Pianists love these works too, and the dedication and joy Carol Rosenberger exhibits proves she's also one of the very finest exponents of this music. Reward yourself with this disk; Brahms and Schumann combined with two performers of the highest caliber bring together four artists that will remind you why you love to listen to music in the first place.Highest Recommendation"

The Benchmark Brahms Sonatas Recording

L. Ku | New York | 01/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Towards the end of his life, Johannes Brahms met the clarinet virutoso Richard Muhlfield, and out of this friendship came several beautifully personal chamber pieces: the two sonatas, the trio with piano and cello, and the quintet. These are some of the most intimate pieces in the clarinet repertoire and are frequently performed by students and professionals everywhere.David Shifrin is one great clarinetist who truly loves to play the Brahms sonatas. The sonatas are a test of tone and musicianship, and Shifrin does this every so irresitably. This disc is a classic and surely would please all who listen to it."

Fantastic Recording!

Donald G. Hite III | Houston, Tx USA | 10/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of the Brahms is excellent. Shifrin has a beautiful, clear tone. However, he also has enough tonal flexibility to create dynamic, well-shaped phrases that are never boring, but always tasteful. The piano player is also very good. My only complaint is that the more aggressive movements (I'm thinking the 4th movement of the Fm sonata in particular) are sometimes a little too tame for my tastes. They're still beautiful and well played, the Brahms Sonatas to me are largely about contrast. The first sonata seems to exhibit this more than the second (although the final movement of the 2nd sonata clearly demonstrates the contrast that Brahms can bring to the same theme!). The first movement can be explosively passionate at times, and seconds later is restrained and introspective. The entire second movement provides a drastic contrast to the first in terms of style. I think that the contrasts of the piece are best exhibited if BOTH ends of the spectrum are fully explored. Shifrin is a master of the delicate, but his powerful and aggressive is a little lacking for me at times. While I personally would list Stoltzman as my favorite Brahms, I think Shifrin's is a more polished and tasteful rendition that definitely deserves to be heard.



Where I feel Shifrin REALLY shines is in fantasy pieces. For a piece that is so highly regarded within the clarinet repertoire, this piece seems to me to be under-recorded. I've had a difficult time finding a recording that I enjoy. I've played the piece on a few occassions and it is deceptively difficult. When played right, it sounds quite easy, however it is a very difficult piece to pull off. The piece requires many things that are difficult to play well on an A clarinet (which is notoriously resistant compared to the more common Bb clarinet), and in some spots, the balance between the piano and clarinet can be difficult to voice clearly. To top that all off, the piece has relatively few rests which makes pacing one's breathing and phrasing a major concern. Perhaps as a clarinetist I'm drawn in more by Shifrin's technical mastery than the music itself (although the music is brilliant), but when I hear him play this piece (along with the pianist how handles the piece very well) I'm just blown away. If you love this piece, you have to hear this version. It is, from what I've heard, by far the best."