REVIEWS

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"The Boston-based clarinetist Jonathan Cohler always seems to put on a good show, and he does here...Cohler and his collaborators have a professionalism and artistic commitment that is difficult to match.

While there will never be a shortage of recordings of the Beethoven and Brahms trios for clarinet, cello, and piano, these renditions by Cohler, Kwong, and Julia Bruskin may rank among the best. The Beethoven sparkles with daring tempos, driving intensity, and a highly expressive lyricism...the interpretation works. The Brahms, too, is deeply moving...the Dohnanyi...Cohler and his colleagues make it a treat to hear, finding a remarkable balance between contrapuntal clarity and late romantic fire."
—American Record Guide

"...a spirited, stylish account of Beethoven’s early Trio, and a performance of the late Trio by Brahms which generates real intensity through subdued dynamics, eloquent phrasing and responsive teamwork...all brought off with precision and panache...altogether a splendidly enjoyable programme, with Cohler’s extensive notes (including a timely defense of vibrato on the clarinet) an interesting bonus."
—BBC Music Magazine
BBC Music CHOICE
Performance - 5 Stars

"...the recording is ideal...and the playing is uniformly lovely... Cohler plays some exquisite pianissimos, Julia Bruskin matches him in beauty of sound and expression, and the ensemble overall is uncannily, highly nuanced. This version definitely takes its place on my shelf along with the other great stereo recordings of the Trio: Leister/ Donderer/ Eschenbach (DG), Wright/ Eskin/ Kalish (Nonesuch, LP), and Shifrin/ Carr/ Golub (Arabesque)...."

"I know of no finer recording of the Beethoven, and this one stands with the best classic versions of the Brahms."
—Fanfare

 

 

Jonathan Cohler, clarinet
Claremont Trio
Emily Bruskin, violin
Julia Bruskin, cello
Donna Kwong, piano
James Sommerville, horn
Mai Motobuchi, viola
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
USD $ 15.99
Click to see large cover and tray card
  024-122  Jonathan Cohler & Claremont Trio