The musical notes & reviews of Hank Zauderer
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Who's Hank
Hank Zauderer is a violinist and an artist. He regularly hosts an evening classical music program at NPR radio station KUSP in Santa Cruz, California. In the past he was a member of several symphony orchestras and chamber music groups. In particular, he loves the study of great composers and feels that music composition so often reflects the key events that took place in a composer's life.
Hank's taste includes the old Gregorian Chants and related religious works as well as music of the Baroque, Classical, and the Romantic period. Some of his favorites include Mahler, Edward Elgar, Leonard Bernstein, Igor Stravinsky, and Benjamin Britten.
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Brahms Sonatas for Viola and Piano
Posted: Wednesday | 07.01.09
I have always loved the sound of the viola (and also of the Cello). In my next life, I will study both of these instruments…
Brahms was a well-known pianist in his time. He was also a Choral conductor early in his career, and much later he turned his attention to composing chamber music, symphonies and concerti. He wrote 4 symphonies, 2 piano concerti, and lot of sonatas and chamber music. He also composed the German Requiem, in memory of his mother…
The 2 viola sonatas are my great favorites. And in these compositions the piano has a strong role, rather than being seen as strictly an accompanying instrument for the viola.
Ms. Kashkashian, the violist, produces a wonderful, musical, and very flowing interpretation of these sonatas. Mr. Levin is right there with her, presenting Brahms’ typically complex, interesting, and challenging part for the piano. These compositions are sometimes performed by clarinet and piano. Listen to this combination of instruments, then try the Clarinet and piano (different CD), and decide which you prefer. The music is the same: A marvelous example of Brahms’ genius.