Late Brahms is full of pitfalls for the interpreters. It is sublimely reticent music, which can collapse if the approach is less than inward and plays too obviously to the audience. Kashkashian and Levin have a very winning take on these pieces. Kashkashian's playing is rarely lush, but it is technically very secure and always preserves the big line of these works. Levin is perhaps best known on CD as a fortepianist, although he made a set of Bach's English Suites on the modern piano. Here I find his playing rich and sensitive, with an attention to nuances that late Brahms piano music of all kinds ideally requires. As a partnership, Levin and Kashkashian are superb. Their attention to each of the subtle tempo marking of these pieces gives their performances a great deal of character, without being overly fussy or pompous. They are captured in excellent sound engineering, with a fine balance between the two instruments. I should note that the booklet features quite a few pictures of the artists, proving that Kashkashian is rather a pretty woman, in a not very ostentatious way. I suppose she will join Cynthia Phelps of the N.Y. Philharmonic in a club for glamorous violists.
August 27, 2008Kashkashian isn't the problem here; the heavy-handed, thoroughly wrong headed and unsubtle Levin is. He pounds away on the piano, the proverbial bull in a china shop.
So unless you prefer the sledge hammer approach to late Brahms, Bashmet/Muntian on RCA is far, far superior. Imai/Vignolles on Chandos is a worthy alternative, as well.
November 27, 2007These pieces are major works in the clarinet repertoire, and (as a clarinetist) I bought this CD to compare how the pieces are handled by both instruments.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear how well Kashkashian plays these Sonatas. Her playing is clear and passionate. I agree with another poster that the piano player sounds a little bland at times. It isn't really enough of a distraction to be a problem though.
This CD is a must for anyone who knows and loves these pieces.
July 29, 2004 |  | Fine performances from both artists |  |
With all due respect, I have to voice my disagreement with reviewer John Grabowski's criticism of Robert Levin's performances on this recording. I find his playing quite spirited and assertive. In fact, I think he and Kashkashian work beautifully together. These are sensitive performances all around.
January 3, 2003 | | Kashkashian needs a more interesting accompanist | |
As in her recording for ECM of the Bartok Viola Concerto, Kim Kashkashian works wonders here. She plays with exquisite technique and expression. She is extremely well-recorded. Unfortunately she has an albatross around her neck in the form of Robert Levin. He is as dull and colorless as accompanists come, and his uninspired, perfunctory playing mars this entire release. One wonders what a more sensitive pianist might have brough to these works, but as it is, Levin is always in the background, playing each phrase dutifully and blandly. Worth owning if you love good viola playing (and if you're disappointed with the dearth of Viola recordings out there) but not if you love good *chamber music.*
July 25, 2001More reviews at Amazon.com ...
