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0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 I love these performances of the Brahms sonatas. May 25, 2008
I am not a musician, much less a clarinet player, and I only know what I like. Listening to the performance of Richard Stoltzman and Richard Goode of these mellow, genially melancholy sonatas, my only thought was how lovely they were, and how in my opinion they did full justice to the autumnal beauty of late Brahms. Therefore looking at the Amazon reviews for this disk, I was shocked to see how many reviewers seem to have it in for Stoltzman. (Question: Why has John Marco been allowed to post two copies of the same review for the past seven years?) I admit I am not competent to compare and contrast Stoltzman's recording of the Brahms sonatas with those of other clarinetists. I only know that, as a casual but ardent fan of classical music, I found this disk wholly satisfactory.
2 of 8 found the following review helpful:
I give this album 5 academy awards. Including best songs. Mar 26, 2006
First of all, what I really did is that I borrowed this album from the library. When I listened to the third movement of the sonata no. 1, I started to remember that my clarinet teacher played it to. How fashionable! I was amazed by the clarinet playing and the piano. I would like to thank Richard Stoltzman and Goode for making such a wonderful album.
6 of 12 found the following review helpful:
Unquestionably the finest recording of these sonatas! Sep 19, 2005
Pardon me, you clarinet-snobs, but your ignorance is baffling. You may not like this recording, but save your mindlessly-inherited "opinions" for others of your ilk. First of all, if you want to compare this record to Harold Wright, at least learn what it is you're talking about. Don't compare it to the uncomfortably out-of-tune SECOND recording that he did (with Peter Serkin). Compare it to the GREAT recording he made of these sonatas with Harris Goldsmith (you've never heard those, of course, because you're too busy with brand-names to have familiarized yourselves with history and unbiased quality). Then compare it to the Primrose/Firkusny record. Then listen to the many other beautiful renditions out there. Then give the guy his props for winning his first Grammy award for this record. (whether you ever realize it or not, these performances are sincere in an incomparable way).... Then realize that music is not anymore absolute than this review (or yours). For those of you who are intrigued -this is the first record of Stoltzman's to buy/listen-to. Check out Richard Goode's Brahms record while you're at it. Enjoy!
7 of 9 found the following review helpful:
I love this Brahms... Jul 29, 2004
I have both the Harold Wright and Stoltzman CDs of the Brahms Sonatas, and I personally prefer Stoltzman's version (since I'm reviewing Stoltzman, I'll avoid comparison with Wright as much as I can).
Many complain that Stoltzman doesn't get the nuance of Brahms music and that he over-plays... Frankly I don't see it. His playing exudes passion and fury in the more passionate moments of the Sonatas (1st mov. of Sonata 1 and 3rd mov. of Sonata 2 in particular). In the more delicate work (such as Sonata 1, mov. 2), Stoltzman's style (though less subtle than some) is engaging.
The best way I can describe these recordings (and much of Stoltzman's work) is that when I hear him play, I become absorbed in the music. I might admit that there are a few spots where one could argue that his vibrato could be toned down or something else like this, but this minor issues fail to subtract from the overall engrossing experience of listening to his playing. Other players (such as Wright) may play in a more reserved, traditional manner, but I can't get lost in their playing. It usually just leaves me luke warm.
No one CD is perfect, and you could pick apart a passage here or there on any recording by any artist. However, as an overall experience, I don't think you'll hear a more passionate or engaging Brahms than this recording. Those who listen to this recording and spend the whole time nit-picking minor things are missing the big picture (and it's a beautiful one).
4 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 This is music? Mar 05, 2004
Stoltzman never ceases to amaze me with his unending popularity, despite his obvious lack of musical taste and refinement. Yes, Brahms was essentially a "Romantic" composer, but that does not give license for a musician to step outside the bounds in which a piece should be interpreted. Brahms' two sonatas certainly don't need the "help" Stoltzman provided in his overzealous interpretations. A little refinement, a beautiful tone, and impeccable intonation are what this piece calls for -- nothing that could ever make it step outside the lines of beauty. With that in mind, allow me to echo the sentiments of a previous review in saying that Harold Wright is all of these, and yet, if you listen closely, you will hear that he does, in fact, use vibrato as a decoration to warm important notes in a phrase. As a clarinetist, I disagree that there is a quibble over Stoltzman's vibrato -- the fact of the matter is that generally in tasteful clarinet playing vibrato is used minimally if at all. Vibrato is for jazz. More informed people might say "What about Reginald Kell?" and to that I reply, if vibrato was considered pleasant, he wouldn't have been the only one to use it regularly.
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