Wilfred Josephs – Clarinet Sonatas and Quintet
Linda Merrick describers Josephs as a “consummate, motivated and sincere musician” who inspires performers. The Sonatas are Brahmsian in their use of lyrical melodies and rhythmic variety: these, and the Quintet, are major contemporary works in Josephs’ individual but extremely approachable and mainly tonal harmonic language.
Track Listing
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Wilfred Josephs:
- Clarinet Quintet, op 135 - I. Partitura - Andante (5:47)
- Clarinet Quintet, op 135 - II. Partitura -Moderato (4:33)
- Clarinet Quintet, op 135 - III. Scherzo (5:34)
- Clarinet Quintet, op 135 - IV. Notturno (8:54)
- Clarinet Quintet, op 135 - V. Dispartitura (5:01)
- Clarinet Sonata no. 1, op. 148 - I. Moderato (5:59)
- Clarinet Sonata no. 1, op. 148 - II. Intermezzo (3:11)
- Clarinet Sonata no. 1, op. 148 - III. Scherzo (6:03)
- Clarinet Sonata no. 1, op. 148 - IV. Monody (5:37)
- Clarinet Sonata no. 2,op. 149 - I. Moderato (6:03)
- Clarinet Sonata no. 2,op. 149 - II. Intermezzo (3:09)
- Clarinet Sonata no. 2,op. 149 - III. Vivo legggiere (4:11)
Reviews
“This CD is a refreshing listening experience. The music of Wilfred Josephs is probably not well known among clarinettists. The pieces presented here are appealing and require and advanced level of music-making ability and ensemble skills. The Kreutzer Quartet and pianist Benjamin Frith prove able collaborators. Josephs’ music, like that of other British composers in the 20th century, should be presented more often if only for the accessible tonal idioms and idiomatic clarinet writing.
” —Christopher Bade
“[this disc] may well find favour with more tentative souls, seeking gentler ways of extending their knowledge beyond the standard repertoire. This was, after all, the purpose of much of Josephs’ output.
” —Denby Richards
