” I have to say that what Martin wonders about Mühlfeld is exactly the same as many of us wonder about him, how does he produce that liquid, endlessly mellifluous tone? …” The Herald on Sunday, Michael Tumelty.
Two of the greatest and best-loved chamber works for clarinet: Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A, K.581 and the Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 by Brahms feature on this new release.
It follows the release of the Brahms Sonatas for clarinet by Maximiliano Martin, one of the most charismatic players of his generation, principal clarinet of Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Reviews of that release speak for themselves in describing his affinity with the music of Brahms:” The F minor sonata is ripe with liquid, effortless phasing, Martin digging deep into its inner warmth…” The Scotsman, Ken Walton
“Martin elegantly conveys the soul and introspection of Brahms…” The Kangnam Hakbo, South Korea, Charles Ian Chun.
For this new recording he is joined by the Badke Quartet, formed in 2002, and widely recognised as one of Britain’s finest string quartets. The Quartet has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and vibrant performances.
Mozart was inspired to write his great quintet for Anton Stadler, and it exploits to the full both Mozart and Stadler’s technical mastery of the instrument. Its lyricism combines with the emotional depth of Mozart’s late works.
Brahms modeled his Clarinet Quintet, written for Richard Muhlfeld, on Mozart’s and uses the expressive, reflective and autumnal qualities of the clarinet to full advantage.