In the most beautiful way

"It comes as no surprise that Johannes Brahms’s clarinet sonatas are performed on the viola. What is surprising, however, is to find violinist Thomas Albertus Irnberger playing the viola.

Brahms composed the two sonatas, Op. 120, in 1894, three years before his death. These precious late works were inspired by the clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld (1856–1907), who served as a violinist in the Meiningen Orchestra—with which Brahms had a close relationship—but taught himself to play the clarinet.

Brahms’s compositions, however, have little to do with virtuosity; rather, they aim for introspection. The 61-year-old master demonstrates the spiritual depth his music has attained in his later years.

Thomas Albertus Irnberger skillfully explores these intimate and deeply introspective works in the most beautiful way. Michael Korstick does not limit himself to mere accompaniment but optimally enriches the two sonatas with outstanding piano playing.

Irnberger and Korstick also complement each other well in Robert Schumann’s Märchenbilder. They allow dynamic tensions to flash through just as they savor the music’s romantic line.

The sound of the recording, however, fails to satisfy me. The piano is too broad in its dimensions and somewhat reverberant. A leaner piano sound would have better suited Irnberger’s viola playing."

pizzicato magazin Luxembourg, May 1st 2026, Remy Franck