Brahms: Viola Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1

This exciting release gathers together in one neat package the two late sonatas for which Brahms’ viola versions have become standard repertoire together with two trios for Clarinet and Horn that are more rarely heard for viola but work equally well. For this recording Max also plays the Klengel arrangement of the G Major Violin Sonata (with a few revisions of his own)

Played by one of the world’s most charismatic violists Maxim Rysanov, of whom Yuri Bashmet declared “my rival has arrived!” Remarkably, Max has been awarded Editor’s Choice from Gramophone Magazine for both his recital discs to date, including Kancheli’s Styx and Tavener’s The Myrrh-Bearer on ONYX (ONYX4023) of which the reviewer said “it was a privilege to review”

Maxim is accompanied by several of Russia’s most exciting younger generation of players. Katya Apekisheva for example recently won an Editor’s Choice for her debut CD of Grieg Lyric Pieces, while Kristine Blaumane has recently been appointed principal cellist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Max embarks on a major Brahms tour with Katya Apekisheva and others to coincide with this release with many dates in UK and France in November (please see ONYX website Concert Schedule for exact details). His other regular recital partners are Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin and Mischa Maisky.

In the year 2000 violist Arnaud Thorette and pianist Johan Farjot formed a duo that, in the intervening years, has drawn considerable attention, not only for their talent but also for the specificity of their artistic approach. This release concentrates on the romantic repertoire of Brahms, which they often perform in concert. This programme brings together the two magnificent viola sonatas and two of Brahm’s major chamber works, 2 Lieder and the Trio.

Just in time for the 34th International Viola Congress (June 7-11, 2006) in Montreal, an all-Brahms, all-viola CD. An instrument too often misunderstood, even disliked, the viola takes its rightful place here in the hands of Steven Dann, one of the country’s best chamber musicians. Alongside the viola, there is the “astonishingly beautiful voice” of Susan Platts, with her “powerful and sharp register, flowing like honey toward the rich depths of a contralto.” (Washington Post) On the piano, the excellent Lambert Orkis, who often plays with Arleen Augér, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Mstislav Rostropovitch, Anner Bylsma, Jaap Schroeder, etc.