Brahms: Double Concerto; Clara Schumann: Piano Trio

by Anne-Sophie Mutter, Pablo Ferrandez

Overview

The relationship of cellist Pablo Ferrandez and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter is one of mentee and mentor, and one can hear that relationship in this appealing performance of the Brahms Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102. The Brahms concerto, his last orchestral piece, has a structure with an intricacy typical of late Brahms, with a quasi-improvisatory cello opening that is answered by the violin and carefully worked into a logical framework. Ferrandez is bold, Mutter is cool and classical, and it does perhaps sound like a torch being passed. Another strong point here is the presence of Clara Schumann's Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17. It is arguably her finest work, and though it has been recorded from time to time, it has been rare to hear it from players of this caliber; the Ferrandez-Mutter pair is joined by pianist Lambert Orkis. All three players rein themselves in a bit in this classic chamber music performance, and what is revealed is a striking premonition of cyclical form as the resemblance of the first movement's and the finale's material, and perhaps that of the Andante as well, emerges clearly. That Andante is an impressively calm piece of pure melodic playing. Nothing here is groundbreaking, but this is an entirely satisfying piece of German Romantic music-making that landed on best-seller charts in the autumn of 2022. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	11/04/2022
Label:	Sony Classical
UPC:	0196587411022
Rank:	8480

Tracks

1. Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra in A minor "Double Concerto" Op. 102~Allegro
2. Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra in A minor "Double Concerto" Op. 102~Andante
3. Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra in A minor "Double Concerto" Op. 102~Vivace non troppo - Poco meno Allegro
4. Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in G minor Op. 17~Allegro moderato
5. Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in G minor Op. 17~Scherzo, Tempo di Menuetto - Trio
6. Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in G minor Op. 17~Andante
7. Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in G minor Op. 17~Allegretto

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Anne-Sophie Mutter   Primary Artist,Violin
Pablo Ferrandez   Primary Artist,Cello
Czech Philharmonic   Orchestra
Manfred Honeck   Conductor
Lambert Orkis   Piano

Technical Credits

Anne-Sophie Mutter   Liner Notes
Johannes Brahms   Composer
Christoph Stickel   Mastering Engineer
Clara Wieck Schumann   Composer
Bernhard Guettler   Engineer,Producer
Michael Hinreiner   Engineer
Oldrich Slezak   Engineer
Jessica Duchen   Liner Notes
Anja Hoppe   Artwork
Marek Micanek   Photography
Pablo Ferrandez   Liner Notes