Brahms and Beethoven in 9th Heaven

Two trios with clarinet were offered on the 9th floor of the Montreal Eaton Centre yesterday, at afterhours time. The very beautiful series of HausMusique concerts, organised by cellist Cameron Crozman and pianist Meagan Milatz, in the rich Art Deco environment of the 9th floor of the Eaton Centre, has been unfolding for almost two years now. The concerts last an hour and the programs are always inviting, supported by quality performers.

Yesterday, the hall was almost capacity-filled for the performance of a youthful clarinet trio by Beethoven and another, a masterpiece of maturity, by Brahms. Crozman and Milatz were joined by the Canadian clarinettist James Campbell, a world-renowned figure and a sensitive and seasoned performer.

We were charmed by the well-articulated sparkle of Beethoven, still imbued with Haydnian classicism, but revealing through almost spontaneous episodes expressive tendencies that herald the composer’s more dramatic maturity. A lot of liveliness from the three performers, with a very good sense of dynamics and expressive contrasts. We thoroughly enjoyed Meagan Milatz’s crystalline technique on the piano, even though in one or two cascades of notes, the artist may have pushed the urgency of the tempo a bit, to the detriment of the expected clarity. Nevertheless, the intensity of the collective performance, sprinkled with touches of humour inherent to the composer’s intent, offered beautiful moments of musical pleasure.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW WITH CAMERON CROZMAN ABOUT THESE TRIOS AND THE HAUSMUSIQUE SERIES

Next came the ‘’pièce-de-résitance’’, the Clarinet Trio Op. 114, the first milestone in the so-called “Autumnal Brahms” period, the time of the last masterpieces initiated by his meeting with the clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld. Here, no effervescent bubbling. We are completely elsewhere. The long languorous lines, imbued with seasonal melancholy, certainly, but also with a soft and tender light, make us think, as James Campbell comments, of a chilly November that we protect ourselves from by drawing the curtains and snuggling by the fire with a comforting drink.

Very beautiful dialogues between the cello and the clarinet, Crozman and Campbell engaging in generous exchanges while respecting the spirit of the music. A great natural rapport is evident between these performers.

An inspiring moment of music, in the magic of a unique and enchanting place.

The next concert in the HausMusique series, and the last of the 25-26 season, will take place on June 2nd. On the program: Ravel and Debussy. Crozman and Milatz will be joined this time by the OSM’s solo violinist, Andrew Wan.

DETAILS AND TICKETS

We will talk to you again about HausMusique during the unveiling of the 26-27 season program. Stay tuned.