‘Nothing short of phenomenal’ (Fanfare), British-American clarinettist Jean Johnson makes her Linn debut with her partner and husband, pianist Steven Osborne. A keen chamber musician, who has performed in some of the world’s finest venues, Jean has assembled a programme of luscious Romantic works. Albeit not included in this recital, Brahms serves as the link to all four works. Gustav Jenner was his only long-term pupil; the teacher’s stylistic shadow can be sensed in Jenner’s Clarinet Sonata, an ambitious work showcasing the instrument’s innate mellifluousness. Robert and Clara Schumann were Brahms’s friends and mentors, and Jean has recorded arrangements of their beautiful Romances. Weber aptly closes the recital – Brahms delayed his retirement after hearing his clarinet concerto – with the Grand Duo Concertant.

Husband-and-wife team clarinettist Jean Johnson and pianist Steven Osborne come together for a recording of Brahms’ popular Clarinet Sonatas, uniquely paired with the rarer sonatas for clarinet by Miklós Rózsa, in which Johnson steps into the spotlight on her own.

Robert Schumann: “Four Fairy Tales” opus 132; Leo Smit: Trio for Clarinet, Viola & Piano; W. A. Mozart: “Kegelstatt” Trio kv498; Jean Françaix: Trio for Clarinet, Viola & Piano

Jean Johnson features on this album performing Quintet for Winds, Op. 43 by Carl Nielsen.

This is an unaccompanied work for clarinet in two movements. The first is a Theme and Variations, and the second is lively, flashy, and joyous.

Jean Johnson plays live the solo clarinet movement from Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.