Reviews

by Patsy Morita (allmusic.com)

Brahms’ clarinet sonatas are given a warm and intimate treatment by Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer and Hans Eijsackers. This is not to imply that Wouters van den Oudenweijer isn’t passionate and heartily energetic when the music calls for it, but the consistent smoothness of his tone and controlled breathing create quite an impression in the sweetly lyrical and quite moments

by Richard A. Kaplan (Fanfare)
As in the Reger, Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer displays a smooth, even tone and a complete technical command; pianist Hans Eijsackers manages the formidable difficulties of Brahms’s piano parts (which were written for himself) without audible difficulty. Together they don’t merely play the music; rather, they interpret it, in the best sense of the word.

by Oleg Ledeniov (MusicWeb)

Clarinetist Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer and pianist Hans Eijsackers present a well-conceived program. The main course consists of two sonatas by Brahms, in very fine readings….Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer shows good control of the instrument. He has excellent legato, and can be very soft when needed. This helps to create an autumnal aura in the Brahms.

Another true. modern, master of this beautiful instrument is of course the Dutch Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer, a clarinet player who understands the depths of the instrument to the fullest. He brings back the warmth and delicacy of these beautiful compositions, a last statement of Brahms’ genius.
Besides the two Brahms sonatas there is also a sonata of Josef Gabriel Rheinberger who is mainly known by his organ compositions but as a composer he was much more than that…

SUMMARY
The ‘Berliner Morgenpost’ did not call his technique of an utterly rare perfection for nothing! But his musicality, his finesse and his flexibility are also qualities that define Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer. A thrilling musician to listen to, both in concert and in this fine musical document on CD! (www.sterlingmusic.se)

Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer is the top solo clarinetist in the Netherlands, known for his warm and powerful tone that is compelling and sensitive at the same time. Lars is unbelievably musical; he touches the hearts of both live audiences and CD listeners with every note.
Arkivmusic.com

“Like other late works of Brahms the sonatas are both characterized by a clear structure and by first hearing a basic melody, but from there Brahms distills beautiful sound colors and variations, this all superbly played by Lars Wouters van den Oudenweijer and Hans Eijsackers”
Mania Klassiek – Mei 2011

…This is another fine performance, well balanced, musically phrased and finding an amount of expressive potential in Hindemith’s occasionally Spartan textures. (Gravin Dixon)

…Naxos is to be thanked for this slightly unusual issue – the Quintet is such a rarity – and the
performances are excellent. Everything about this issue is exemplary. I loved every minute and
it shows us yet another side of this multi-faceted and multi-talented composer. (Bob Briggs for MusicWeb-International)

…Hindemith cd rated: OUTSTANDING in the December 2009 edition (INR December 2009)

The performances are uniformly spirited and brilliantly performed throughout. Clarinetist van den Oudenweijer plays splendidly, imparting much color and virtuosity to Hindemith’s busy landscapes.
CLASSICAL NET Robert Cummings

CD Reger Sonates (Challenge)

Richard A. Kaplan, Fanfare Magazine (America’s premier classical CD review magazine) december 2009:
“This now becomes my first-choice recording of the three sonates (…).”

CD Hindemith (Spectrum Concerts Berlin)

Richard A. Kaplan, Fanfare Magazine (America’s premier classical CD review magazine) december 2009:

“(…) Wouters handles this temperamental instrument with complete command, and his finger work is nothing short of stunning. (…) The repertoire of Spectrum Concerts Berlin encompasses many instrumental combinations, but it’s clear who the star is here.”

Wouters van den Oudenweijer has the intelligence, the sensitivity, and the physique to make this music blossom. Hans Eijsackers lets his wing sound like a cathedral organ.
juni 2009 Klassieke Zaken Jurjen Vis