Brahms: Double Concerto; Clarinet Quintet

1	Concerto for violin, cell
2	Concerto for violin, cell
3	Concerto for violin, cell
4	Clarinet Quintet in B min
5	Clarinet Quintet in B min
6	Clarinet Quintet in B min
7	Clarinet Quintet in B min
Brahms: Double Concerto; Clarinet Quintet
1.	Concerto for violin, cello & orchestra in A minor ("Double"), Op. 102 34:46
	Composed by Johannes Brahms
	Conducted by Chung
	Performed by Renaud Capuçon, Gautier Capuçon and Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester
2.	Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 37:33
	Composed by Johannes Brahms
	Performed by Paul Meyer and Capuçon Quartet

All Music Guide

Existing fans of brothers Renaud and Gautier Capuçon have likely been waiting with baited breath for their eventual and inevitable release of the Brahms "Double Concerto," a work that would seem to have their names written all over it. Their premiere duo album, Face a Face, demonstrated their incredible technique, precision intonation, and inborn knack for playing together. Each brother's solo ventures, from Gautier's vivacious interpretation of the Haydn cello concertos and Renaud's insightful performance of Mendelssohn and Schumann, have been similarly highly regarded. All of these positive attributes makes this much-anticipated recording all the more disappointing because many of these traits are mysteriously absent. From the very beginning, listeners will notice a distinct lack of energy coupled with an abundance of overindulgence as Gautier's opening cadenza becomes so ponderous that it almost comes to a halt. Similar pacing problems occur any time either of the brothers is given a moment without the orchestra to push them along. The unwavering unification of the brothers' playing heard in Face a Face is also sadly absent; neither their sound quality nor intonation nor articulation matche as it once did. Kudos should be given, however, to the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester -- composed of European youth -- who offer a surprisingly mature, rich symphonic sound.

Also on the album is Brahms' ethereal "Op. 115 Clarinet Quintet." Clarinetist Paul Meyer joins the Capuçon Quartet; his glass-like, plaintive sound quality really carries the entire ensemble. The Capuçon brothers try to make the performance too much about themselves, however, which results in frequent balance problems. Mike Brownell

Philadelphia Inquirer

The Capuçon brothers are perhaps best known to U.S. listeners as Martha Argerich's chamber music companions in her many "Live from Lugano" recordings. And that background is at least largely responsible for this recording being such a success. David Patrick Stearns

The Guardian

The performance is outstanding; this is all exceptional Brahms playing. Andrew Clements

Toronto Star

1/2 The brothers deliver powerful, virtuosic performances as soloists. John Terauds