Johannes Brahms: Sonatas Op. 120 For Piano And Clarinet

In 1894 Johannes Brahms asked the clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld to visit him during his beloved summer sojourn in Ischl, adding “It would be really wonderful if you brought your B flat Clarinet with you, and if you were in no great hurry” – for the two Sonatas Op. 120 were waiting to be rehearsed.

The first performances were given privately directly afterwards and the press enthusiastically reported: “The sonatas [...] are wonderful and will cause a great sensation”.

These were the last chamber pieces Brahms wrote before his death and are considered two of the great masterpieces in the Clarinet repertoire.