BaL 3.12.11 Brahms Clarinet Quintet (merged threads)

[Russ_H]

This CD has both the Quintet and Trio. It's quite an old recording, but I enjoy it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Clarinet-Quintet-Trio-Johannes/dp/B000002ZH9

[umslopogaas]

The Rough Guide to Classical Music (which as I always say, is inappropriately named, its not at all rough) recommends The Busch Quartet with Reginald Kell (Testament SBT1001).

The 2010 Penguin Guide to Classical Music recommends lots: they particularly like Karl Leister and The Leipzig Quartet (MDG 307 079-2).

I've got The Fine Arts Quartet with Kell and Members of the Vienna Octet, which are both fine, but both are on LP and I dont know if they have been made available on CD.

[vinteuil]

.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000027MFX

for starters.

But you will also of course want a HIPP set too....

[vinteuil]

I've got The Fine Arts Quartet with Kell and Members of the Vienna Octet, which are both fine, but both are on LP and I dont know if they have been made available on CD.

.
perhaps -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000001UOE

[BBMmk2]

Anyone know about the Nash Ensemble's recording?

[johnb]

Anyone know about the Nash Ensemble's recording?

The Nash Ensemble recording on the Wigmore Hall label was the BAL "winner" in 2011. (The only version I have is Gervais de Peyer with the Melos Ensemble of London.)

[Dave2002]

.
perhaps -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000001UOE

If you can cope with MP3 then this set is available for around £23 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reginald-Kel.../dp/B0009ONYPA or used CDs for about £40 (at present) or rather more for a "new" set. Most of the recordings seem to be on Spotify, though the sound quality is perhaps not as good as the CDs or LPs. I had (have) the LPs on Saga, though they most likely showed up other faults - I recall some overload issues on the LPs - maybe a really good cartridge would avoid/reduce those.

I will say though, that listen a few minutes and you'll probably be drawn in - http://open.spotify.com/track/0X2vDUliHZ53p2E2hX81n7 You might not even notice that the recordings are in mono!

If you only want the Mozart and the Brahms Quintets, then the MP3 tracks from those might work out cheaper, but it's probably worth going for the whole set. This is a set which really should be reissued. An ebay alert might pay dividends.

[BBMmk2]

Thanks Dave, although I do have some downloads, I still prefer the physical aspect cds.

[Bryn]

The Wigmore Live Nash CD is but £4.50 including 'booking fee" (i.e. p&p) from http://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/live/cds/whlive0007

I rather like the Leister/Brandis Quartet recording that came in the Brilliant Classics 40 CD Brahms Masterworks box. One reviewer described the performance as "autumnal" in atmosphere. Just right for this time of year.

The work always puts me in mind of the late Brian Dennis 'BD', who used to regale us with his response to one of the clarinet runs in the quintet, "the evocation of a projectile vomit following a good night out".

[LeMartinPecheur]

I got to know the work via the De Peyer/ Melos Ensemble HMV LP in the 70s which I still think is excellent despite acquiring quite a few other versions over the years. In particular I've always admired the recording which really does sound like 4 string instruments, rather than a mini-string orch with no feeling of single pieces of wire having horsehair applied to them You can still track it down on a single CD but why not get it in this box of treats for not very much more money?? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Icon-Melos-E...os+ensemble%22

[Barbirollians]

The de Peyer is also available on an EMI Seraphim release on Amazon for £3.03 from a marketplace seller coupled with the Mozart quintet - look no further IMO .

[hedgehog]

What HIP performances are there? I know the Hoeprich with Haydn String Quartet on Glossa and though I find the Mozart Quintet quite lovely I find the Brahms just a little too, well not flat, perhaps sober, a little too slow all round though still very interesting contrasts of colour. It just doesn't 'float' as I think it should and as I have heard (but don't ask me for details!).

[visualnickmos]

The de Peyer is also available on an EMI Seraphim release on Amazon for £3.03 from a marketplace seller coupled with the Mozart quintet - look no further IMO .

Yes - that is the 'benchmark' I'm told by a clarinettist friend. It is a fabulous CD.

[Pabmusic]

This CD has both the Quintet and Trio. It's quite an old recording, but I enjoy it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Clari.../dp/B000002ZH9

I'll second that! The clarinet version of the trio is much more lovely than the viola version (imo).

[Ferretfancy]

A recording with Martin Frost has just been issued, i haven't heard it but his Mozart is sublime and he is certainly the man of the moment. Of earlier recordings I enjoy Thea King's performance with the Gabrieli Quartet, and de Peyer with the Melos Ensemble, but my all time favourite is still the old Vienna Octet version with Alfred Boskovsky. It's possibly a sentimental attachment, because this was one of my first chamber music LPs, but it still sounds beautiful. It should be available on Eloquence.