Composer Johannes died on April 3, 1897. A few years earlier the outstanding clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld inspired Brahms to compose several works, including two sonatas.
Brahms intended that the Clarinet sonatas could be equally suitable for either clarinet or viola, whose tone and colors admirably suit the dark-toned stringed instrument.
In each sonata, the viola and piano enjoy the status of equal partners, revelling in Brahms’ subtle interplay of melody, rhythm and harmony.
Here is one of my favorite violists, Tabea Zimmenrmann to perform the Sonata #2 for you:
