CÉSAR CANO (b.1960): Clarinet Quintet, Op. 74, JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897): Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115.

Description: The contrasting yet oddly naturally integrated sonorities of clarinet and strings get a fine contemporary outing in Cano's quintet. The work is largely tonal and thoroughly accessible, though the composer throws in some modernistic gestures for effect here an there, including a magical microtonal passage with multiphonics in the slow movement. Incisive rhythms, frequently with off-beat accents and polyrhythmic complications, characterize the first movement and the lively scherzo that follows, and the slow movement is principally a lyrical statement, with sonorous, dissonant atmospheric interruptions. A slow introduction leads into a vigorously rhythmic finale, with constantly shifting meter constantly threatening to wrong-foot the music's motoric pulse. The autumnal Brahms is an apt coupling. Joan Enric Lluna (clarinet), Alexander String Quartet.