Brahms Piano Quintet and more…
I listened to this CD again today, and it is one terrific recording; the Brahms Quintet for piano and strings is a glorious work by the Master. Originally it was scored for string quintet, then later for two pianos, and later still Brahms adapted it for the final piano quintet form. He dedicated both of these to Princess Anna von Hessen, and she was so thrilled that she gave Brahms the manuscript of the Mozart Symphony number 40.
The Piano Quintet, Op. 34, is a huge symphonic-scale work which is dramatic and exciting. The Schubert Ensemble gives us a big performance that emphasizes beautiful interpretation and fine phrasing. There is an absolute majesty in this performance that I have not encountered elsewhere. I enjoy this a lot, and I loaded it on my iPod, and that’s always a good sign…
The additional tracks on this CD are devoted to equally outstanding performances of Brahms’ Intermezzi Op. 117 and 118. William Howard gives heartfelt performances of the three Op. 117 Intermezzos, and he concludes with the delicate Op. 118 Intermezzo in A Major
The Champs Hill label is only about a year old. It took its origin from the chamber music heard at an intimate private concert hall at Champs Hill in the Sussex countryside, in England.
Schubert Ensemble members are:
• Simon Blendis – violin
• Jan Peter Schmolck – violin
• Douglas Paterson – viola
• Jane Salmon – cello
• William Howard – piano
Here are the tracks:
1. Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34: I. Allegro non troppo
2. Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34: II. Andante un poco adagio
3. Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34: III. Scherzo – Allegro
4. Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34: IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto – Allegro non troppo – Presto, non troppo
5. Thee Intermezzi, Op. 117: Intermezzo No. 1 in E-Flat Major
6. Thee Intermezzi, Op. 117: Intermezzo No. 2 in B-Flat Minor
7. Thee Intermezzi, Op. 117: Intermezzo No. 3 in C-Sharp Minor
8. Intermezzo No. 2 in A Major, Op. 118: Intermezzo No. 2 in A Major, Op. 118
Here is a video of the Brahms quintet:
Johannes Brahms: Quintet for piano and strings in F minor op.34
Mirijam Contzen, violin
Janine Jansen, violin
Maxim Rysanov, viola
Marie-Elisabeh Hecker, cello
Stephen Kovacevich, piano
And would you like another excellent performance of the same work?
Tags: Brahms, Piano Quintet Op.34, Intermezzi, Schubert Ensemble