FERDINAND RIES (1784-1838): Trio in G Minor for Piano, Clarinet and Cello, Op. 28, Sonate sentimentale in E Flat for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 169, Clarinet Sonata in G Minor, Op. 29.

Description: The two sonatas for clarinet and piano are much more Romantic-sounding, atmospherically evocative and forward-looking pieces. The Op.29 work begins with a passionately pleading slow introduction, which segues masterfully into a main Allegro of positively Schubertian vitality. After a brief but deeply felt slow movement, the finale mirrors the first movement’s form and intensifies the tempestuous, troubled expression of the sonata as a whole. The E flat major Sonata Op.129 is all sunshine compared to Op. 29’s storm and thunder: a delight from start to finish, inflected by the kind of Italianate drama and cantabile that began to make its mark on German and Austrian composers in the 1810s and 20s . Vlad Weverbergh (clarinetto d’amore), Jadranka Gasparovic (cello), Vasily Ilisavski (piano).