Two Clarinet Sonatas, op. 120
The Clarinet Sonatas, Op. 120, Nos. 1 and 2, are a pair of works written for clarinet and piano by the Romantic composer Johannes Brahms. They were written in 1894 and are dedicated to the clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld.
The sonatas stem from a period late in Brahms's life where he discovered the beauty of the sound and tonal colour of the clarinet. The form of the clarinet sonata was largely undeveloped when Brahms wrote his, after which the combination of clarinet and piano was more readily used in composers’ new works. These were the last chamber pieces Brahms wrote before his death and are considered two of the great masterpieces in the clarinet repertoire. Brahms also produced a frequently performed transcription of these works for viola with alterations to better suit the instrument.
Movements
- Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 1 in F minor, op. 120 no. 1: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 1 in F minor, op. 120 no. 1: I. Allegro appassionato
- Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 1 in F minor, op. 120 no. 1: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 1 in F minor, op. 120 no. 1: II. Andante un poco adagio
- Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 1 in F minor, op. 120 no. 1: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 1 in F minor, op. 120 no. 1: III. Allegretto grazioso
- Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 1 in F minor, op. 120 no. 1: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 1 in F minor, op. 120 no. 1: IV. Vivace
- Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 2 in E-flat major, op. 120 no. 2: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 2 in E-flat major, op. 120 no. 2: I. Allegro amabile
- Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 2 in E-flat major, op. 120 no. 2: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 2 in E-flat major, op. 120 no. 2: II. Allegro appassionato
- Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 2 in E-flat major, op. 120 no. 2: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano no. 2 in E-flat major, op. 120 no. 2: III. Andante con moto - Allegro