Sonatas for Clarinet
Brahms originally conceived this music for clarinet, though he later adapted the pieces for viola. He was inspired by the artistic playing of clarinetist Richard Muhlfeld; he might well have felt the same way about Richard Stoltzman. Sometimes Stoltzman's playing can sound precious--save us all from his New Age recordings!--but here he plays like a great artist, floating the melodic lines up to heaven and never wimping out. In Richard Goode he has a pianist who is certainly an equal partner; strong, impulsive piano playing powers these performances. The disc's low price compensates for the short playing time.--Leslie Gerber