Johannes Brahms: Sonatas for Clarinet and Piano
Gustav Jenner: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
James Campbell, Clarinet
Leonard Hokanson, Piano

The two sonatas of Brahms are the greatest in the clarinet repertoire. They are Brahms's last chamber works, and he came out of self-imposed retirement to compose them.

Brahms composed the sonatas during the summer of 1894 at Ischl, his summer retreat near Salzburg. They received their first public performance in Vienna with Brahms and the great clarinetist Richard Mühfeld, who was the inspiration for the sonatas. Gustav Jenner, who was also inspired by Mühfeld's remarkable talent, was in attendance at this première.

This is the world-première recording of the Jenner sonata, which was first performed in Vienna in 1899. It is notable for its virtuoso piano writing, a strong melodic sense, and a wonderfully expressive, intimate quality. Catalog: MAR 125


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