Brahms
Viola Works

Montreal Chamber Players
Susan Platts, soprano
Steven Dann, alto | viola
Lambert Orkis, piano

ACD2 2350

ust in the 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 Canada'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 Rostropovich, Anner Bylsma, Jaap Schroeder, etc.

Sonata in F minor for Viola and Piano op. 120 no. 1     22:29 Sonate en fa mineur pour alto et piano, op. 120 n° 1   1. Allegro appassionato     7:53   2. Andante un poco adagio     4:54   3. Allegretto grazioso     4:14   4. Vivace     5:28 Sonata in E-flat major for Viola and Piano op. 120 no. 2     21:03 Sonate en mi bémol majeur pour alto et piano, op. 120 n° 2   5. Allegro amabile     8:41   6. Allegro appassionato     5:07   7. Andante con moto - Allegro     7:15 Zwei Gesänge für Altstimme mit Viola und Klavier Opus 91     72:47 Two Songs for Alto Voice, Viola and Piano op. 91 Deux chants pour voix d'alto, avec alto et piano, op. 91   8. Gestillte Sehnsucht (F. Ruckert)     6:59       [Longing Appeased / Nostalgie apaisée]   9. Geistliches Wiegenlied (E. von Geibel, after/d'apres Lope de Vega)     5:48       [Spiritual Cradle Song / Berceuse sacree]