Brahms Chamber Music

Johannes Brahms
Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Op. 78,
Piano Trio No.1 in B Op. 8
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor Op. 87

The Capuçon Brothers
Renaud Capuçon - Violin
Gérard Caussé - Viola
Gautier Capuçon - Cello
Nicholas Angelich - Piano

Wigmore Hall 16th February 2010

This was a marvelous concert; not a surprise since the Capuçon brothers have been playing together for years. In particular Renaud Capuçon has a golden glowing tone which, combined with his brother's bass, produces an exquisite blend.

The pair have a phenomenal technique: fantastic bow division was used to craft phrases beautifully and the superb articulation in the Scherzo of the Piano Trio in B really brought the music to life. Renaud Capuçon gave the Brahms’ Violin Sonata No.1 a lovely sense of space; if anything I would have liked more urgency in its final movement, Allegro molto moderato. The opposite was true during the opening of the Piano Trio; I found Gautier’s vibrato too fast, making the sound buzz where spacious majesty would have been more appropriate.

Complementing the mix was Nicholas Angelich on piano who was able to play both with weight and delicacy where the music required it. Gérard Caussé completed the star studded line up, disproving the ubiquitous viola jokes with his playing.

Definitely a concert for those who like their Brahms to be big and luxurious rather than those who are concerned with historical performance practice.

Anna Michel