The relationship of cellist
Pablo Ferrandez
and violinist
Anne-Sophie Mutter
is one of mentee and mentor, and one can hear that relationship in this appealing performance of the
Brahms
Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102
. The
concerto, his last orchestral piece, has a structure with an intricacy typical of late
, with a quasi-improvisatory cello opening that is answered by the violin and carefully worked into a logical framework.
Ferrandez
is bold,
Mutter
is cool and classical, and it does perhaps sound like a torch being passed. Another strong point here is the presence of
Clara Schumann
's
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17
. It is arguably her finest work, and though it has been recorded from time to time, it has been rare to hear it from players of this caliber; the
-
pair is joined by pianist
Lambert Orkis
. All three players rein themselves in a bit in this classic chamber music performance, and what is revealed is a striking premonition of cyclical form as the resemblance of the first movement's and the finale's material, and perhaps that of the Andante as well, emerges clearly. That Andante is an impressively calm piece of pure melodic playing. Nothing here is groundbreaking, but this is an entirely satisfying piece of German Romantic music-making that landed on best-seller charts in the autumn of 2022. ~ James Manheim