Brahms-Koncz: Sonatas for Clarinet and Orchestra Daniel Ottensamer, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin & Stephan Koncz

• Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897): Clarinet Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz):
• 1 Brahms: Clarinet Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz): I. Allegro appassionato 06:47
• 2 Brahms: Clarinet Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz): II. Andante un poco adagio 04:36
• 3 Brahms: Clarinet Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz): III. Allegretto grazioso 03:53
• 4 Brahms: Clarinet Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz): IV. Vivace 04:09
• Clarinet Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz):
• 5 Brahms: Clarinet Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz): I. Allegro amabile 07:44
• 6 Brahms: Clarinet Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz): II. Allegro appassionato 05:01
• 7 Brahms: Clarinet Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2 (Arr. for Clarinet and Orchestra by S. Koncz): III. Andante con moto — Allegro 06:34
• Walter Rabl (1873 - 1940): Quartet for Piano, Clarinet, Violin & Cello in E-Flat Major, Op. 1:
• 8 Rabl: Quartet for Piano, Clarinet, Violin & Cello in E-Flat Major, Op. 1: I. Allegro moderato 06:04
• 9 Rabl: Quartet for Piano, Clarinet, Violin & Cello in E-Flat Major, Op. 1: II. Adagio molto 07:49
• 10 Rabl: Quartet for Piano, Clarinet, Violin & Cello in E-Flat Major, Op. 1: III. Andantino un poco mosso 02:07
• 11 Rabl: Quartet for Piano, Clarinet, Violin & Cello in E-Flat Major, Op. 1: IV. Allegro con brio 06:11
• Total Runtime 01:00:55

Info for Brahms-Koncz: Sonatas for Clarinet and Orchestra

Daniel Ottensamer presents Brahms’ two legendary clarinet sonatas, reworked for clarinet and orchestra by Stephan Koncz, who also conducts the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin on this recording. Koncz’ orchestrations bring these masterful pieces out of the limited space of chamber music, presenting them in a new symphonic light. The idea to create this very personal album has accompanied them both since their student days, and now the time to turn this vision into reality has finally come. Brahms’ well-known works are accompanied by a hidden gem, Walter Rabl’s clarinet quartet, which won first prize in a prestigious competition, of which Brahms himself served as the head of jury. Pianist Christoph Traxler and Berlin Philharmonic’s first concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley join Ottensamer in this performance, while Koncz exchanges his baton for the cello. Combining Brahms and Rabl gives the listener a fascinating view on the rich musical landscape of late nineteenth-century Vienna.

Daniel Ottensamer has been hailed as one of the prominent clarinettists of today and is enjoying a multi-faceted career as soloist, chamber musician and principal clarinettist of the Vienna Philharmonic. Stephan Koncz is a cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic, and divides his time between composing/arranging, conducting, and various chamber music groups, often together with Ottensamer, pianist Traxler, violinist Bendix-Balgley and their Vienna Berlin Music Club – namely „Philharmonix“. The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO) emanates into the world from renowned Berliner Philharmonie, while remaining societally relevant at all times, close to people and keeping pace with the times. All performers make their PENTATONE debut.

Daniel Ottensamer, clarinet
Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin (tracks 1-7)
Stephan Koncz, conductor (tracks 1-7), cello (tracks 8-11)
Christoph Traxler, piano (tracks 8-11)
Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin (tracks 8-11)

Daniel Ottensamer
has been principal clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera since 2009.

He is a prizewinner of the most prestigious international competitions, as the “Carl Nielsen International Clarinet Competition” in Denmark 2009.

As a soloist he is regularly invited to perform with renowned orchestras, among them the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, with conductors such as Lorin Maazel, Gustavo Dudamel, Andris Nelsons, Adam Fischer,etc.

As a chamber musician he has worked together with musicians such as Daniel Barenboim, Angelika Kirchschlager, Barbara Bonney, Thomas Hampson, Bobby McFerrin, Julian Rachlin, Mischa Maisky, etc.

He is founding member of the ensemble "philharmonix", winning the Opus-Klassik-Award 2018. Daniel Ottensamer recorded various CDs with SONY-Classical and the Deutsche Grammophon.

Stephan Koncz
comes from an Austro-Hungarian family of musicians and when he was eight began his studies at the Musikhochschule of his native Vienna. In 2000 he became a pupil of Róbert Nagy at the Vienna Conservatory, and from 2002 he also studied composition and conducting at the University of Vienna. His training and development were also decisively stimulated by masterclasses with Daniel Barenboim, Steven Isserlis, Heinrich Schiff, Olaf Maninger and Tamás Varga as well as by chamber-musical activities with Julian Rachlin, Dmitry Sitkovetsky and the 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic. In 2006 Koncz became a scholar of the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Orchestra Academy. The winner of several national and international competitions, he has also appeared as a soloist and chamber player in venues including the Vienna Musikverein and Konzerthaus as well as the Berlin Philharmonie. His position as principal cellist in the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra resulted in an intensive collaboration with the violinist Maxim Vengerov. Having previously been a member of the Vienna State Opera Orchestra for two years, Stephan Koncz joined the cello section of the Berliner Philharmoniker at the beginning of the 2010/2011 season.

Christoph Traxler
„His hands glide sovereignly over the piano keys in an intoxicating manner, presenting an explosive listening experience....“

Born and raised in Upper Austria, educated in Linz and Vienna, Christoph Traxler has established himself internationally as a pianist with an enormously wide range.

Interwoven with the classical tradition, he goes beyond the boundaries of classical music with the ensemble „Philharmonix – The Vienna Berlin Music Club.“ His passion, empathy, experience, as well as his repertoire and knowledge, make him a demanded solo artist, chamber musician, accompanist and university lecturer, and emphasize his excellent position within the young international generation of pianists.

Booklet for Brahms-Koncz: Sonatas for Clarinet and Orchestra