 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-28 03:57
I have a question... in the CD booklet of the Harold Wright Brahms Sonatas (with Serkin on Boston Records), Steven Ledbetter (who authored the notes) states that the Brahms clarinet Sonatas were the "first clarinet sonatas ever written".
I'm just curious if this is just a mistake, or if he is relying on some "technical" definition of sonata that I am unaware of (which wouldn't suprise me...). I know of at least a few sonatas written well before the Brahms. While I couldn't find the exact date that the Mendelssohn Sonata was written, I know Mendelssohn himself died nearly 50 years before the Brahms sonatas were written, so that obviously counts... I know of other sonatas such as Wanhal and Devienne which, while I don't know the exact date of composition, surely predate the Brahms works. What's up with this?
DH
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-07-28 04:54
and while I'm at it...
Is it just me, or is the piano WAY too loud half the time on the recording? I feel like the clarinet (which is lovely) is buried under this huge bangy piano...
DH
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2004-07-28 06:12
I really like this recording, not just for the clarinet playing, but also for the piano playing. I like the way the clarinet becomes the solo line and then accomp. From my readings about Brahms, I would gather that the playing on this recording represents his playing style well. He was known to play big with a heavy left hand. Keep in mind that this piece is as much for the piano as the clarinet.
I am pretty sure these were not the first clarinet sonatas. Don't the Danzi sonatas as well as the Mendelssohn sonata pre-date the Brahms?
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-07-28 14:13
I was guess that Ledbetter probably meant that these are considered to be THE clarinet sonatas. Surely I wouldn't think he intended it in the literal sense.
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The Clarinet Pages
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