Brahms & Yun: Clarinet Quintets

Johannes Brahms’ clarinet quintet is probably one of the highest points of this particular repertoire, along with those of Mozart and Weber. This admirable mature work is performed with infinite subtlety by Sabine Meyer, surrounded by members of the Wiener Streichsextett. It is coupled with a 1984 work by Korean composer Isang Yun, who was German-naturalized after having fled dictatorship, been kidnapped by the Korean secret services, tortured and sent back. His musical language is close to that of the serial composers but is heavily influenced by Oriental art and philosophy.