Klarinet Archive - Posting 000208.txt from 2002/10

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Brahms Sonata recordings
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2002 22:09:19 -0400

I did a check of my database and found that I have nearly 100 recordings of
the Brahms sonatas (including versions for viola, violin and even horn). The
following are my favorites:

The George Pieterson recordings are quite controversial. He did them with
Hepzibah Menuin, who played a 9-foot Steinway with the lid open, recorded
very close-up. She practically overpowered him. Still, he was principal in
the Concertgebouw, and could hold his own with anyone. The problem, for me,
was not the unusual balance (which I got used to), but the fact that his tone
diminished in size and resonance as he got softer, and expanded as he got
louder. It was like a balloon inflating and deflating. Nevertheless, it's a
major recording and deserves to be listened to. By the way, he plays on
Wurlitzer Reform Boehm clarinets, which have a modified Boehm mechanism, a
German style bore and a compromise French/German mouthpiece.

Harold Wright made two excellent recordings, with Harris Goldsmith and, near
the end of this life, with Peter Serkin. Many people prefer the recording
with Goldsmith, but I think the one with Serkin is much better.

Reginald Kell made two recordings: a very good one with Joel Rosen and an
even better one with Mieczyslaw Horszowski. I think the one with Rosen has
been reissued on Boston Skyline CD. The one with Horszowski is a great
rarity on LP. You get used to his vibrato, and, at least for me, his
musicality carries all before it.

To me, the best recording of all was by Yona Ettlinger, principal in the
Israel Philharmonic. He had everything -- tone, technique, musicianship,
personality, and the best intonation ever. Unfortunately, it was issued only
on a rare French RCA LP.

I think the Paul Meyer versions are with orchestra. They're very good, but
for me they don't work as well as with piano.

Thea King has a special affinity for Brahms. Her recordings are excellent.

The Kalman Berkes recording is excellent, and very inexpensive on Naxos.

Bela Kovacs is one of my favorite players, and his recordings, also reissued
as an inexpensive CD, are excellent.

Leopold Wlach, the famous principal in Vienna in the early 1950s, made
landmark recordings that should be part of everyone's collection. They've
been reissued on a Japanese Westminster CD that's pricey but worth it.

For me, Karl Leister's early recordings are more interesting than his recent
ones. He's recorded the basic repertoire over and over, and he's perfect but
seems bored. Unfortunately, his earlier recordings are out of print.

Finally, you need at least one viola recording, since it gives a very
different perspective. There's never been a better violist than Pinchas
Zuckerman, and his recordings are my first choice. A fine alternative is
Primrose, who recorded them with Rudolf Firkusny, a truly great pianist.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

---------------------------------------------------------------------