Bruch : Works for Clarinet & Viola - Apex

I've explored all sorts of new music during 2020 - but this is the best discovery in years! I love the combination of clarinet and viola - the tunefulness, the melting melodies, the sharp bright cheerful movements. I could go on for ever. My friend and I are wondering why we've never heard this on Radio 3 or Classic FM - it is glorious!! It will cheer your soul, relax your body, reduce all anxiety and stress, and make you give thanks for the supreme beauty Max Bruch has created in these pieces. Buy it!!

With a clutch of 5star reviews on this site already does this disc really need yet another? Well,YES,appparently.Just why this gorgeous music is not better known I cannot understand.A few weeks ago some of my professional musician friends got together to play the lovely "Kegelsstatt" Trio for me.I suggested they might like to include the 8 Pieces by Bruch in the concert.Only the viola player( a well known and highly experienced artist) knew the work.At the end of the weekend of rehearsal and performance they were all deeply in love with the music and thanking me for introducing them to it! But then this wonderful disc includes the richly inventive and melodious Concerto plus the meltingly beautiful Romance.A word about the viola player Gerard Causse.He is one of the greatest viola players of our day and purchased the legendary 1596 Gaspar da Salo instrumentfrom its then owner,my good friend the late Harbert Downes who led the Philharmonia's viola section from its inception,playing under the likes of Toscanini and Richard Strauss.The original Erato recording is dated 1990 so it is difficult to be sure whether we are listening to that fabulous instrument.What is certain is that the young player referred to above in my "personal" concert played it at Bert Downes' home when I took him to have tea there as a teenager!!

Not dramatic Max Bruch, but wonderfully constructed and joyous music, which deserves a wider audience,

Never really listened to Bruch until recently. now I am listening to him all the time

Bought this on a whim.Excellent recording, super! I'm no classical buff but this is one of the more revisited pieces in mycollection.

I heard Max for the first time on classic fm, and just had to get as much of him as I could...all from amazonTo date 4 x CD's

It is quite easy to like Bruch's music: tuneful, lyrical, polished. A worthwhile addition to any CD collection.

A really nice set of music. I had not heard this before, but really enjoyed it. A pretty good price.