Michael Collins & Michael McHale - Reger: Clarinet Sonatas (2017) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Michael Collins and Michael McHale here present a new volume in their exploration of the lyrical clarinet repertoire. Their journey through works that encapsulate the variety of nuance and colour of which the instrument is capable, inevitably led them to another great composer for the medium: Max Reger. The Brahms-influenced (see CHAN 10844), essentially lyrical and tender works recorded here contrast particularly with the more familiar, contrapuntally rich – and loud – organ music usually associated with Reger. The three clarinet sonatas are among fourteen such duo works in his published output, composed between 1890 and 1915: effectively his entire compositional career. Although his continuing adherence to sonata-form principles is clearly evident in the two Op. 49 sonatas, the greater formal clarity of Op. 107 suggests that the lightness and geniality, even plainness, which Reger ascribed to it form part of an underlying ‘classical’ simplicity of conception, for all the music’s ‘modernistic’ surface. On top of his conducting career (City of London Sinfonia, Philharmonia Orchestra) and various recitals around the world, Michael Collins will hold a four- concert residency at LSO St Luke’s in the 2017 – 18 season, dedicated to chamber music and including recitals with Michael McHale.

"The mellifluous way Reger interweaves the dialogue between clarinet and piano is typically Brahmsian…Throughout all the performances, Collins shapes Reger’s long-breathed melodic lines with great sensitivity, while McHale is particularly impressive in bringing lightness and clarity to Reger’s often thickly textured piano parts." (BBC Music Magazine)

"Their performance quickly became my preferred recording of the few I have and I cannot see it being bettered soon. Throughout this new recording, Collins and McHale are excellent. As already stated, their choice of only does it help the listener get to the spirit of these three sonatas. It also means that their articulation of particular phrases and the changes in speed that these require are sharper and more precise." (MusicWeb International)

Tracklist:
01. Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 107: I. Moderato
02. Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 107: II. Vivace
03. Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 107: III. Adagio
04. Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 107: IV. Allegretto con grazia
05. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 49 No. 1: I. Allegro affannato
06. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 49 No. 1: II. Vivace
07. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 49 No. 1: III. Largo
08. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 49 No. 1: IV. Prestissimo assai
09. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 49 No. 2: I. Allegro dolente
10. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 49 No. 2: II. Vivacissimo
11. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 49 No. 2: III. Larghetto
12. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 49 No. 2: IV. Allegro affabile

Personnel:
Michael Collins, clarinet
Michael McHale, piano