Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34/String Quintet...

Product Description Recorded in the Domovina Studio, Prague, 6–7 November (Op. 111) and 13–14 November 2021 (Op. 34). Their recording of the American Quartet and String Quartet No. 13, Op. 106 (Gramophone Award – Recording of the Year), elevated the Pavel Haas Quartet among the finest performers of Antonín Dvořák’s music. This position was subsequently confirmed by a recording of the composer’s quintets, made with the violist Pavel Nikl, a founding member of the ensemble, and the pianist Boris Giltburg, winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. The album received the most coveted classical music accolades (Gramophone Chamber Award, BBC Radio 3 Record Review Discs of the Year, Diapason d'Or, etc.). While recording the Dvořák quintets, the logical idea of a Brahms album was born. And now it has come to fruition. Dvořák was encouraged by and ultimately attained global fame owing to the kind support and friendship of his older colleague Brahms, who in his twenties had been just as generously aided by Clara and Robert Schumann. Brahms' relationship with Clara is probably also behind the Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34. Originally conceived as a string quintet, in the spring of 1864 Brahms transformed it into a sonata for two pianos, yet Clara voiced her doubts about this version’s sound too. The desired contrast and richness of colour was ultimately achieved by combining the strings and the piano. Clara Schumann performed the piano part at the private premiere of the quintet, which she referred to as having “symphonic” proportions. This aspect is clearly foregrounded on the present Pavel Haas Quartet recording. Brahms allegedly intended the String Quintet in G major, Op. 111, to be his last piece of music. In this light, it may come across as a reflection of the music he had cherished during his life – from Beethoven, Schubert, the Viennese waltz, his contemporary Wagner, to his beloved Hungarian dance motifs. Review More central repertoire is rejuvenated on the latest album from the augmented Pavel Haas Quartet. Last time they wowed us with Dvorak quintets. This time, their subject is Brahms, with Boris Giltburg joining them for his relatively early Piano Quintet and violist Pavel Nikl threading a path through the late, autumnal String Quintet. Over 20 years of performing, the Haas Quartet have lost none of their east European spunk and folksy edge, qualities just as valuable when playing Brahms. Fiery passions and the crispest of rhythms mark outer movements, while slow movements bask in heartfelt nostalgia. Either way, everybody wins. -- The Times

1: I. Allegro Non Troppo
2: II. Andante, Un Poco Adagio
3: III. Scherzo. Allegro - Trio
4: IV. Finale. Poco Sostenuto - Allegro Non Troppo
5: I. Allegro Non Troppo, Ma Con Brio
6: II. Adagio
7: III. Un Poco Allegretto
8: IV. Vivace Ma Non Troppo Presto

Composer: Johannes Brahms

Number of Discs: 1

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