Rúnar Óskarsson, Helga Bryndís Magnúsdóttir, Sigurður Bjarki Gunnarsson, Siggi String Quartet - Johannes Brahms: Complete Clarinet Works (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: I. Allegro
02. Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: II. Adagio
03. Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: III. Andantino
04. Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: IV. Con moto
05. Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114: I. Allegro
06. Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114: II. Adagio
07. Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114: III. Andantino grazioso
08. Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114: IV. Allegro
09. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1: I. Allegro appassionato
10. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1: II. Andante un poco adagio
11. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1: III. Allegretto grazioso
12. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1: IV. Vivace
13. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2: I. Allegro amabile
14. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2: II. Allegro appassionato
15. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2: III. Andante con moto - Allegro

We clarinetists are profoundly grateful to Johannes Brahms for these four late works, composed near the end of his life. They stand as some of his most intimate and deeply felt music. We also owe thanks to the clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld, whose artistry moved Brahms so greatly that it inspired him to compose again.

Mühlfeld’s playing unlocked a new, quieter world for Brahms. Instead of writing large, dramatic works, Brahms started composing more personal and emotional music that highlighted the clarinet’s warm and gentle sound.

I was a young man when I first got to know these works, and in retrospect, I believe that my long engagement with these four compositions has shaped my approach to music-making more profoundly than any other repertoire, extending even to my interpretations of contemporary music.

There are certain compositions that simply refuse to let go. Often, after performing them, one assumes it will be the final time, yet that is seldom the reality. This has certainly been my experience with the works of Brahms. His music is a constant source of inspiration. Every time I set the music on the stand, something opens up – a new interpretative idea or a deeper understanding of the music. And then that feeling comes up that every musician recognizes: I have to play this again!

This is music that demands stillness and focus, and for me, it serves as an escape from the speed and noise of modern life. We are inviting the audience into a space where time stands still, where we are allowed to be sincere and reflective.

It is both a privilege and a responsibility to keep these compositions present through performance and recording. After our recital in 2017 where we played all four works, the idea emerged to record them together.

I hope you will find as much enjoyment in listening as we found in bringing this music to life.