Brahms: Sonata in Fm No1, Op120/1; Scherzo in Cm WoO2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sometimes a disc comes along that is so good it overwhelms your prejudices. I prefer these sonatas on the clarinet, as Brahms originally conceived them (though he did the adaptation for viola himself). And I like more than 51:27 of music on my CDs. But Barbara Westphal is a superb violist. She plays with tremendous energy and flair, and she gets the sound I love from a viola: woody, musky, like a great chanteuse. Ursula Oppens, who has been redirecting her career towards mainstream repertory, proves to be a great Brahms player. She also plays with great energy but never overwhelms her partner. Forget the play-time; this is a great recording. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Scherzo From F.A.E. Son
Son in f Op.120, No.1: I. Allegro Appassionato
Son in f Op.120, No.1: II. Andante Un Poco Adagio
Son in f Op.120, No.1: III. Allegretto Grazioso
Son in f Op.120, No.1: IV. Vivace
Son in E-flat Op.120, No.2: I. Allegro Amabile
Son in E-flat Op.120, No.2: II. Allegro Appassionato
Son in E-flat Op.120, No.2: III. Andante Con Moto - Allegro

Amazon.com

Sometimes a disc comes along that is so good it overwhelms your prejudices. I prefer these sonatas on the clarinet, as Brahms originally conceived them (though he did the adaptation for viola himself). And I like more than 51:27 of music on my CDs. But Barbara Westphal is a superb violist. She plays with tremendous energy and flair, and she gets the sound I love from a viola: woody, musky, like a great chanteuse. Ursula Oppens, who has been redirecting her career towards mainstream repertory, proves to be a great Brahms player. She also plays with great energy but never overwhelms her partner. Forget the play-time; this is a great recording. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Brahms Sonatas Beautifully Played.......1999-12-24

There are many sets of the Brahms Clarinet/Viola sonatas available out there right now, but this recording by Barbara Westphal and Ursula Oppens is a real sleeper hit. The playing is not in the least bit reticent, with Westphal displaying a full, rich sound, more in the tenore color than the alto school favored by Primrose. I especially enjoyed the partnership with Ursuala Oppens, who is a formidable pianist who is normally found in new music circles. She applies her fierce intellect to these often problematic piano parts (these are truly duo sonatas, both instruments play equal roles) and as a result, both players find much new to say in these performances. The FAE Scherzo transcription is a welcome bonus. I'd also advise afficianados of the Brahms Sonatas on Viola to seek out the Kim Kashkashian/Robert Levin set on ECM New Series, and the Veronika Hagen/Paul Gulda on Deutsche Grammophon. Happy Listening!

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Swoon [Import]

Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5; Overture "The Wasps"

Time Will Tell [DualDisc]

Scat Singing [Import]

Millenium Edition (Best of) [Import]

The Only Way Is Up

Two Darn Hot: A Night at the Concord Pavilion/Live at the Fujitsu-Concord [Live]

Vivaldi: Bassoon Concertos, Vol. 4

Vanishing Borders

The Greatest of Pleasure

Tiny Music...Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop