Two of Australia’s most celebrated young artists, clarinetist Lloyd van’t Hoff and pianist Peter de Jager unite to release their debut album, Johannes Brahms: Music for Clarinet and Piano.
Lloyd Van’t Hoff (praised by Limelight for his “Life- affirming music making) and Peter de Jager (described as “A revelation” by The Age) have performed together all across Australia and live on ABC radio. They are respective recipients of some of Australia's most prestigious awards, including The Performance of the Year at the Art Music Awards, Freedman Classical Fellowship, the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year, and an ARIA Award.
Throughout many years of collaboration the music of Johannes Brahms has been a constant shining light in Lloyd Van’t Hoff and Peter de Jager’s oeuvre. Inspired and stimulated as they are by the beauty and technical prowess of Brahms’ works, the pair have grown together joyously sharing their thoughts and love for his music. This album is a timely outpouring of affection that Van’t Hoff and de Jager share for this great composer, celebrated through a thoughtfully curated selection of works that warmly embrace their respective instruments.
The album opens with the two Clarinet Sonatas Op. 120. Glowing like fading embers, these Sonatas share a summative quality that is typical of Brahms’ late chamber music, shining with an introspective, generous — if melancholic — spirit. Three of Brahms’ much-adored Hungarian Dances take central position on the album, complimented by a selection of Lieder, paying homage to the singing quality of clarinet playing that was exhibited by Brahms’ muse, Mühlfeld. The inclusion of the beloved lullaby Wiegenlied at the close of this disc is apt, then, if we are to take the Clarinet Sonatas as Brahms’ own “Good evening, good night” to the world.
Lloyd Van’t Hoff – clarinet
Peter de Jager – piano
Releases March 12, 2021
Produced and engineered by Thomas Grubb and Mano Musica
Recorded in the Windsong Pavilion, Four Winds, Bermagui, NSW
Generously supported by Buffet Crampon
Johannes Brahms: Music for Clarinet and Piano
PRE-ORDERS COMING SOON
This item is now available for pre-order and will be shipped once it is released on March 12.
Sonata no. 1 in F minor op. 120 no. 1
1. Allegro appassionato
2. Andante un poco adagio
3. Allegro grazioso
4. Vivace
Sonata no. 2 in E flat major op. 120 no. 2
5. Allegro amabile
6. Allegro appassionato
7. Andante con moto - Allegro
Hungarian Dances (selections)
8. Hungarian Dance no. 2 in D minor
9. Hungarian Dance no. 6 in B flat major
10. Hungarian Dance no. 7 in A major
Three Songs
11. Feldeinsamkeit from op. 86
12. Wie Melodien zieht es mir from op. 105
13. Es träumte mir from op. 57
14. Wiegenlied from op. 49