Rumen Cvetkov - Brahms Alliance (2019)

Within the last 7 years of his life Johannes Brahms dedicated himself to chamber music and many people would agree that in this period he produced the most profound music in his entire writing career. While at Bad Ischl, his constant encounters with J. Strauss, but also with the great clarinetist Richar Mühlfeld, inspired Brahms to produce such fine examples of the chamber music repertoire known today. The 2 clarinet sonatas, which he also transcribed for the viola, are quite melancholic in comparison with the other clarinet opuses which he wrote just before. Brahms was also deeply saddened by the sudden loss of his great friend and muse Clara Schumann. As they shared wonderful long term artistic and personal relationship, quite possibly they influenced each other in their composing as well.
The project “Brahms Alliance” is inspired by the friendship and legacy of those 2 much celebrated composers with the addition of the remarkable singer and composer Pauline Viardot who is represented in the project by her lovely 6 pieces for violin and piano (version for viola).

The trio Schumann, Brahms, Viardot is to represent the mutual inspiration those composers felt at the time of their lives for the remarkable and unforgettable music they left behind for generations.

• Since his solo debut at the age of 8, Rumen Cvetkov has performed in more than 35 countries on 4 continents which won him positive critical claim. Equally popular as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, he has performed in important venues worldwide such as Berliner Filharmoniker Hall, Carnegie Hall (New York), Wigmore Hall (London), Walt Disney Hall (Los Angeles) and many others. A passionate chamber musician, Rumen Cvetkov has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians today such as Ida Haendel, Bernard Greenhouse, Mihail Muntian, Sir Harold Martina, etc. Additionally, he is the founder and Artistic Leader of Chamber Orchestra “Mediterranean Soloists” А passionate teacher, he is Professor of viola at Tilburg Conservatory (Fontys), Holland and New Bulgarian University– Sofia, Bulgaria.
He performs on a rare viola made by Simon Schodler 1785, named “The Time” and Italian viola by Giusseppe Ghiacchetti di Roma.
• Born in Varna, Bulgaria, Ludmil Angelov graduated at the Pancho Vladigerov State Music Academy in Sofia. Ludmil Angelov has performed at major concert halls, such as the Philharmonie in Berlin, Musikverein in Vienna, Pleyel and Gaveau in Paris, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Salle Garnier in Monte-Carlo, Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, the concert halls of the Moscow and Milan Conservatories, KBS Hall in Seoul amongst many others.
Since 2011 he is an Honorary Professor at New Bulgarian University, where he also gives an annual international masterclass. He serves as jury member at many prestigious piano competitions, including Chopin Competiton in Warsaw in 2010 and 2015. The music of Chopin has been a constant of his performing career. His recording of Chopin’s Rondos and Variations was awarded a Grand Prix du Disque Chopin by the National Chopin Institute in Warsaw.

Tracklist:

01. 3 Romances, Op. 22: No. 1, Andante molto
02. 3 Romances, Op. 22: No. 2, Allegretto
03. 3 Romances, Op. 22: No. 3, Leidenschaftlich schnell
04. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2 (Version for Violin & Piano): I. Allegro amabile
05. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2 (Version for Violin & Piano): II. Allegro appasionato
06. Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2 (Version for Violin & Piano): III. Andante con moto
07. 6 Morceaux: No. 1, Romance
08. 6 Morceaux: No. 2, Bohémienne
09. 6 Morceaux: No. 3, Berceuse
10. 6 Morceaux: No. 4, Mazourke
11. 6 Morceaux: No. 5, Vielle chanson
12. 6 Morceaux: No. 6, Tarentelle
13. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Version for Violin & Piano): I. Allegro appassionato
14. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Version for Violin & Piano): II. Andante un poco adagio
15. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Version for Violin & Piano): III. Allegretto grazioso
16. Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (Version for Violin & Piano): IV. Vivace