Classical Music | Clarinet Music

Recorded on 03/21/2009, uploaded on 03/21/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 2 in E flat major        Johannes Brahms

Brahms composed his two sonatas for the clarinet for the principal clarinetist of the Meiningen orchestra, Richard Mühlfeld. These two sonatas, published as op. 120, with the Clarinet Trio in A minor, op. 114 and the B minor Clarinet Quintet, op. 115 were Brahms's last chamber works. They have since become cornerstones of the clarinet repertoire. Brahms also published alternate versions of the works for viola and piano, which became the first published sonatas for that instruments, as well as, versions for the violin.

The second Sonata in E flat major is highly contrasted to the F minor Sonata preceding it. Whereas the F minor Sonata is constructed along traditional Classical expectations, the E flat Sonata is much more in the vein of the fantasy-sonata.

Its first movement, marked Allegro amabile, goes even farther than the F minor sonata in obscuring the divisions of sonata form. The entire movement is pervaded by a song-like character and lyricism and concerned with the continuous development of its material.

The second movement is Brahms's last scherzo and, perhaps intentionally, in the same key as his first: E flat minor. The movement is heroic and shows that over a forty year career, Brahms's scherzos never diminished in their fiery character.

Another of his final statements, the last movement is also Brahms's last set of variations. The variation form was one of Brahms's favorites and one which he nearly single-handedly saved from falling into obscurity. The theme of the movement is of a somewhat Classical cut and well-suited to the variation treatment. Five variations follow the theme. The last, quickens the tempo from Andante to Allegro and moves to the minor key. The coda, however, ends the piece Più tranquillo and in the major key.

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.