Works by Sergei Rachmaninoff & Johannes Brahms

by Yuja Wang, Gautier Capucon, Andreas Ottensamer

Overview

Pianist Yuja Wang gets top billing on this album of chamber pieces by Brahms and Rachmaninov, which is unusual on a program of works for a solo instrument with piano accompaniment, or for a trio with piano. Presumably, she is considered to be the strongest draw in the Deutsche Grammophon label's stable right now. Whatever the case and however flamboyant Wang may be in some ways, the fact is that she is an impressive chamber music player whose talents set the tone for this release. Not that her playing is dominant -- far from it. Instead, Wang realizes that less is often more in textures like those in these works. In the difficult balances of cello-and-piano music, she brings out the lines of cellist Gautier Capucon beautifully, stepping into the light only in interjections. Hear her entrancing opening to the slow movement of the Brahms Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38, leading naturally into Capucon's entrance. The long association between Wang and Capucon perhaps reaches its peak here; the two players seem in total sync. The complex lines of Brahms' late Clarinet Trio, Op. 114, have absolute clarity, and clarinetist Andreas Ottensamer also benefits from Wang's exquisite sense of balance. Her restraint colors all of the performances, and the Rachmaninov Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 19, may seem under-emotional to those who have grown up with the likes of Mstislav Rostropovich. However, Capucon's lines are warm, and this is purely a matter of taste. The only real complaint here is Deutsche Grammophon's over-intimate sound, not needed in performances of this caliber. A wonderful chamber release from some top players of the day. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	09/09/2022
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0028948623884
Rank:	64483

Tracks

1. Sonata for Piano and Cello No. 1 in E Minor Op. 38~1. Allegro non troppo
2. Sonata for Piano and Cello No. 1 in E Minor Op. 38~2. Allegretto quasi Minuetto
3. Sonata for Piano and Cello No. 1 in E Minor Op. 38~3. Allegro
4. Sonata for Piano and Cello in G Minor~1. Lento. Allegro moderato - Moderato
5. Sonata for Piano and Cello in G Minor~2. Allegro scherzando
6. Sonata for Piano and Cello in G Minor~3. Andante
7. Sonata for Piano and Cello in G Minor~4. Allegro mosso - Moderato - Vivace
8. Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello in A Minor~1. Allegro
9. Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello in A Minor~2. Adagio
10. Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello in A Minor~3. Andantino grazioso
11. Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello in A Minor~4. Allegro

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Andreas Ottensamer   Primary Artist,Clarinet
Yuja Wang   Primary Artist,Piano
Gautier Capucon   Primary Artist,Cello

Technical Credits

Bjorn Woll   Cover Photo
Johannes Brahms   Composer
Sergey Rachmaninov   Composer
Guido Fischer   Liner Notes