J. Brahms : Viola Sonatas - Trio in A minor - Lawrence Power - Simon Crawford Phillips - Tim Hugh - 2008.

CD : J. Brahms: Viola Sonatas - Trio in A minor - Lawrence Power, Simon Crawford-Phillips, Tim Hugh - 2008.
Lawrence Power : Viola
Tim Hugh : Cello
Simon Crawfor-Phillips : Piano

Eac / ape (img + cue) / wav.
Recovery : 3%.
Total rar size : CD / Covers / Full Booklet : 258 MB / 3 parts.
Total playing-time : 65',29" .
Included : Full Covers, Full Booklet, CDs all in 300 dpi.

Reviews :

Reviewed: Gramophone 5/2007, Duncan Druce

Who needs a clarinet when the viola is so powerful and expressive?

Viola players have reason to be grateful to Brahms for giving them the chance to perform the two Op 120 Sonatas, originally for clarinet. It?s less well known that he similarly provided a viola part as alternative to clarinet for the Op 114 Trio. For the sonatas he reworked the part, adding a few chords and double stops, as well as transposing some of it downwards (to exploit the instrument?s generally lower tessitura) but in the Trio he contented himself with a simple transcription. In Lawrence Power?s hands the extensive use of the viola?s upper register poses no problem; he commands a wide tonal spectrum throughout his range, and there?s no sense of strain. The Trio does lose something without clarinet, sounding more monochrome as the viola and cello blend together. This blending can, of course, be an advantage ? the two string instruments in octaves, in the Adagio, make a wonderful sound. And this is a very fine performance, of exceptional expressive range, from extreme delicacy to thrilling power.

The sonatas as played here will surely demonstrate (even to clarinettists) that the viola version is in no way second best. I particularly enjoyed, in the Second Sonata, the second movement?s dark passion, relieved by glowing intensity in the middle section, where Simon Crawford-Phillips manages exactly to convey Brahms?s forte ma dolce e ben cantando. The final variations are just as impressive, each one so well characterised (listen out for Power?s graceful agility in Var 3) yet perfectly paced so that the coda seems an inevitable climax to the whole work.

Also :

BBC music magazine : Stephen Johnson

Performance : ****
Sound : ****

Was it pity for viola players that induced Brahms to arrange his two Clarinet Sonatas and Clarinet Trio for the Cinderella of the string section? Or was it genuine artistic necessity? It's hard to say. The viola can offer something special rather than just different – especially in the First Sonata and the Trio. The exquisitely slow dying fall of the slow movement melody of Sonata No. 1 becomes more confidential on the viola. And in many parts of the Trio the viola's instrumental dialogue with the cello is strikingly effective: as the two instruments often converse on the same material, the closeness in tone makes exchanges subtler, more nuanced. The end of the Trio's first movement, with viola and cello semiquavers intertwining quietly, has a smoky mysterious quality the clarinet version misses. But it does make the music more sombre, muted, far less liquid and agile in effect – disappointing in parts of the First Sonata and almost throughout the Second. And there are one or two passages where even the impressive Lawrence Power has difficulty making the viola speak distinctly and elegantly through Brahms's rich piano textures,despite sensitive assistance from the Hyperion recording.

On the whole Power makes a convincing case for these as arrangements – more so than other recommended versions. His tone is strong, never whiny (as violas can be), but capable of some variety in colour and expression. Power's musical relationship with Simon-Crawford-Phillips, and especially with Tim Hugh in the Trio, gives a lot of pleasure. Still, a guarded recommendation.

More infos about Lawrence Power : Here

More infos about Simon Crawford-Phillips : Here

More infos about Tin Hugh : Here

More infos about this album andd to listen to the samples : Here

Tracklist :

CD : J. Brahms: Viola Sonatas - Trio in A minor - Lawrence Power, Simon Crawford-Phillips, Tim Hugh - 2008.
01. Sonata In F Minor For Clarinet/Viola & Piano, Op. 120/1 - 1. Allegro Appassionato [0:07:43.32]
02. 2. Andante Un Poco Adagio [0:04:54.63]
03. 3. Allegretto Grazioso [0:03:59.50]
04. 4. Vivace [0:05:06.71]
05. Trio In A Minor For Piano, Clarinet/Viola & Cello, Op. 114 - 1. Allegro [0:07:51.00]
06. 2. Adagio [0:07:19.43]
07. 3. Andantino Grazioso [0:04:16.11]
08. 4. Allegro [0:04:24.11]
09. Lawrence Power, Simon Crawford-Phillips / Brahms: Sonata In E Flat For Clarinet/Viola & Piano, Op. 120/2 - 1. Allegro Amabile [0:08:12.71]
10. 2. Allegro Appassionato [0:04:58.05]
11. 3. Andante Con Moto; Allegro Non Troppo [0:06:40.34]


Happy listening!