When I provide a little review of a recording, I try to highlight one
or two major aspects.  David Shifrin, a well known artist, joined forces
with the Emerson String Quartet to record the Brahms and Mozart clarinet
quintets, the two most revered chamber works for string quartet and
clarinet.  I had high expectations for this recording since Shifrin is
excellent and the Emersons do so well with any repertoire they choose
to play: Mozart, Beethoven, Bartok, Haydn, Debussy, Ravel, etc.

What struck me upon listening to the disc was the "incisive" nature of
the acoustic and string playing.  It's not stringent or in your face, just
highly pronounced.  I found it irresistable.  The clarinet, on the other
hand, was rich and smooth.  I also found this dichotomy between the strings
and clarinet irresistable.

Most modern instrument recordings of the two works are more mellow.
Yet, the Emersons are highly poetic as well.  I have my favorite period
instrument recordings and modern instrument recordings.  This new disc
I would place in an entirely different category because of a level of
incisiveness unusual in modern instrument recordings which reminds me
very much of period instrument approaches.

Of its kind, the Shifrin/Emerson versions are unique and therefore highly
recommended.  It's not the recording to have if you want just one, but it's
definitely a "must" for those who want a few versions.  It could end up
being my disc of the year for the standard repertoire.

Don Satz
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