Intermezzo Chamber Series Honors Brahms With Soul-Stirring Summer Performance in Salt Lake City
SALT LAKE CITY — The fifth concert in the Intermezzo Chamber Music Series summer lineup delivered a stirring homage to Johannes Brahms on Monday, blending late Romantic-era intimacy with some of the composer’s most evocative clarinet works. Set in the cultural heart of Salt Lake City, the evening offered both technical mastery and emotional depth — hallmarks of this celebrated summer series.
Brahms’ Return to Composition Through the Clarinet
The program focused on Brahms’ Clarinet Sonatas Op. 120 and the Clarinet Trio in A Minor, all written during the final phase of the composer’s life. Inspired by the virtuosity of clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld, these compositions marked Brahms’ return to music after announcing retirement.
The Sonata No. 1 in F Minor opened the night with Laura Grantier on clarinet and Vedrana Subotic on piano. The piece’s Allegro appassionato and lyrical Andante un poco adagio set a richly melancholic tone, showcasing the clarinet’s expressive breadth. The duo continued with Sonata No. 2 in E-flat Major, where Tad Calcara joined Subotic to deliver a warm, introspective performance.
A Rare Gem: Brahms’ Clarinet Trio
After intermission, the audience was treated to the rarely performed Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114. This trio is one of the few masterpieces written for the unique combination of clarinet, cello, and piano. Originally penned in 1891 during Brahms’ retreat in Bad Ischl, the trio was performed by Grantier (clarinet), Lauren Posey (cello), and Subotic (piano).
Each movement offered a rich dialogue among the instruments. The clarinet soared with melodic yearning, while the cello added warmth and gravity — a sound palette that Brahms designed specifically to highlight Mühlfeld’s signature tone. Subotic, a fixture in Salt Lake’s classical scene, anchored the trio with lyrical finesse on piano.
A Testament to Musical Craftsmanship
The Intermezzo Chamber Music Series has become a cornerstone of Salt Lake’s summer cultural life. Known for bold programming that interweaves familiar classics with less-explored gems, this season’s fifth concert stood out as a celebration of craftsmanship and inspiration.
By focusing on Brahms’ late chamber works, the evening allowed audiences to witness not just the legacy of a great composer, but the renewed creative energy he found late in life — thanks to the clarinet.
Do you have a favorite chamber music memory or Brahms piece that moves you every time? Share your stories or summer concert picks with us at ChicagoMusicGuide.com — we’d love to hear from fellow music lovers!