By March 1891 Brahms had composed nothing for more than a year; But then, when Brahms was visiting Meiningen, the conductor of the court orchestra drew his attention to the playing of their erstwhile violinist, now director of the court theatre and principal clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld (1856-1907), who performed privately for Brahms.
As the clarinetist Anton Stadler had previously inspired Mozart, so now Mühlfeld inspired Brahms. There rapidly followed four wonderful chamber music pieces: a Trio Op 114 and a Quintet Op 115 for clarinet and strings, and two clarinet and piano Sonatas Op 120 (also loved by viola players).
Brahms is said to have particularly enjoyed the sound of clarinet with piano and in the two Op 120 sonatas he produced a wonderful richness of sound from the combination of the two instruments. Although the first movement is marked appassionata, and Brahms’ earlier use of F minor had been turbulent (as in the Piano Quintet Op 34), the mood here is more lyrical and wonderful.
Here is David Shifrin to play this music for you:
