Catalogue

Summary:

“With the poignant flute solo in the middle of the passacaglia finale of the Fourth Symphony among the most tenderly reflective passages in all Brahms, it is sad that he did not write any work specifically for the flute. That, no doubt among other considerations, was what led Jeffrey Khaner, the distinguished principal flute of the Philadelphia Orchestra, to make his transcriptions of the two Brahms clarinet sonatas” – Editor’s Choice, Gramophone

Jeffrey Khaner, principal flautist of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1990, is one of today’s most distinguished orchestral musicians. He is also a commanding soloist. This recording, his fourth solo CD for Avie, demonstrates his skills as an arranger as well, as he turns his attention to Brahms’ beloved Sonatas originally written for clarinet, later transcribed for viola by the composer. Khaner’s endeavours mirror Brahms’ own aims: to ensure wider dissemination of the music by adapting it to different instruments. The ingenious fillers are Khaner’s transcriptions of a pair of Three Romances, a set each by Robert and Clara Schumann, close friends of Brahms’. These unabashedly romantic works lend themselves perfectly to the flute and to Jeff’s masterful interpretations.

Tracklist:

JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833–1897)
Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 (arr. for flute by Jeffrey Khaner)
1. I. Allegro appassionato (7:25)
2. II. Andante un poco Adagio (4:57)
3. III. Allegretto grazioso (4:00)
4. IV. Vivace (4:55)

Sonata No. 2 in E Flat Major, Op. 120 (arr. for flute by Jeffrey Khaner)
5. I. Allegro amabile (8:23)
6. II. Allegro appassionato (5:17)
7. III. Andante con moto (6:51)

CLARA SCHUMANN (1819–1896)
Three Romances, Op. 22 (arr. for flute by Jeffrey Khaner)
8. I. Andante molto (2:57)
9. II. Allegretto, mit zartem Vortrage (2:33)
10. III. Leidenschaftlich schnell (3:29)

ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810–1856)
Three Romances, Op. 94 (arr. for flute by Jeffrey Khaner)
11. I. Nicht schnell (3:02)
12. II. Einfach, innig (3:49)
13. III. Nicht schnell (4:09)

Total duration: 61:55

Jeffrey Khaner, flute
Charles Abramovic, piano

Recorded January 2004, Curtis Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Producer and engineer: Da-Hong Seetoo