Clarinet Quintets (07/12/2024)

Come share with us the celebration of two landmark works of the clarinet quintet repertoire, featuring Nadja Nevolovitsch (violin professor at the Musikhochschule of Cologne), Misako Akama (concertmaster, Belgian National Orchestra), Mihai Cocea (solo viola, Brussels Philharmonic), Dmitry Silivian (solo cello, Belgian National Orchestra), and Daniel Mourek (solo clarinet, Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen).

The program features Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Quintet in B-flat major, Op. 34, composed in 1811. This early Romantic work was written for virtuoso clarinetist Heinrich Baermann and showcases Weber's innovative use of the clarinet in dialogue with the string quartet, blending technical virtuosity with lyrical melodies.

Following Weber, the concert will present Johannes Brahms' Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115, composed in 1891. This late masterpiece reflects Brahms' return to composition, inspired by clarinetist Richard Muehlfeld. The work's intricate textures and cyclical structure are hallmarks of Brahms' mature style, making it a significant contribution to the chamber music repertoire.