{TABLE} Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in F minor, Op 120, No 1 ..... Brahms Fantasiestuerke, Op 73 ..................................... Schumann Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in E flat, Op 120, No 2 ...... Brahms {/TABLE} WHEN two distinguished players come together for a recital the results do not always tally with expectations.
Small variations in musical approach may clash and create twice as much havoc. I had, at times, the impression that John Finucane's clean cut playing of the clarinet belonged to a different world from John O'Conor's murky contribution and thought how fortunate it was that the clarinet does not have a sustaining pedal.
The two players approached each other most nearly in the simpler, quieter passages, and, generally speaking, as Sunday's recital in IMMA proceeded, moments of agreement became more frequent, reaching their culmination in the final movement of Brahms's Sonata No. 2.
The Schumann Fantasiestuecke, or "Soiree Pieces", as they were originally called, are less intellectually challenging than the two Brahms Sonatas and were the most enjoyable items on the programme. Both performers and listeners were, so to speak, under less pressure, and the general relaxation helped the music.
