Bruch - Works for clarinet & viola
Votano; Thorette; Farjot; Orchestre Philharmonique de Liege Wallonie Bruxelles / Rophé
Cypres CYP7611

Release date December 2009

For many a listener, the name Max Bruch will bring to mind his much-loved Violin Concerto no. 1. However, this new release gives us a collection of some of his lesser-known works for clarinet and viola. The informative accompanying sleeve-notes describe Bruch’s personal struggle to be viewed as an equal to his contemporary, Brahms. Here, the Concerto for Clarinet and Viola is very much reminiscent of Bruch’s Violin Concerto. Jean-Luc Votano and Arnaud Thorette are well matched as soloists in this concerto, and each player commands the listener’s attention immediately. The clarinet and viola are comfortable companions in the spotlight because the instruments share a richness of tone. Romance for Viola and Orchestra shows us Bruch at his most Romantic. The more intimate writing found in 8 Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano brings to mind some moments of Schumann’s works for clarinet and piano (such as his Fantasiestucke). I particularly appreciated the contrast between the lushness of Bruch’s orchestration in the concerto and his more gentle chamber writing – the result is a well-balanced and considered collection of music. This recording has highlighted Bruch’s versatility as a composer and as such, the summary within the notes seems all the more poignant: ‘The compositions featured on this disc are all the more interesting in that they come from the period in which Bruch, no longer owing anything to anyone except himself and to music, was composing works on a more modest scale. We have here the final secrets of a master who, with cruel modesty, knew that he had succeeded in everything except in becoming Brahms.’

Reviewed by Ruth Squire