Brahms: The Hungarian Connection

Andreas Ottensamer专辑介绍：We are very excited to announce Andreas Ottensamer s brand new album from Mercury Classics, Brahms: The Hungarian Connection, in which Ottensamer the brilliant young Austrian clarinettist (Classic FM) explores the connections Brahms had to Hungarian folk music traditions. The album includes Brahms Clarinet Quintet, one of the most seminal works for the instrument combined with Hungarian dances and waltzes by Brahms, all newly arranged to include additional material from Brahms' original musical sources, with an authentic folk twist. Brahms is seen as one of the most serious composers of the German school this bold venture reveals how closely connected his music actually is to the vibrant folk music inspired Hungarian music world. Andreas Ottensamer, himself half-Hungarian, naturally recognizes Brahms Clarinet Quintet as genuinely one of the monuments of the entire clarinet repertoire, a piece that every clarinettist dreams of playing . The stunning ensemble of musicians includes violinist Leonidas Kavakos, Antoine Tamestit (viola), Christoph and Stephan Koncz (violin, cello), Ödon Rácz (double bass), Predrag Tomic (accordion) and cimbalom virtuoso Oskar Ökrös. Review As in his live performances, Ottensamer's clarinet on this recording is a dark and beautifully warm instrument, played with soulful depth. --Classic FM (UK) Ottensamer cultivates the warm, rich Viennese sound. It quickly becomes clear on the CD how directly he communicates with the musicians of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. He isn t just a musician who wants to play in the foreground all the time, but rather one who searches for dialogue. --Tages Anzeiger (Switzerland) Floating tones, gentle rays and momentum, pure music that almost makes you forget the instrument and its virtuoso. This is how admiration develops for the great art of an even greater artist-musician. One who never desires to fill his sound world with superficial effects, but simply creates perfect beauty. Ottensamer and his clarinet sing about life, people dance to it, dream, lament and cheer. And the heart of the listener is fulfilled. Impressive and moving! --BZ Berlin (Germany)