During the second half of the nineteenth century, Russian composers were focusing on creating a national sound based around folk songs. Chamber music was largely...

During the second half of the nineteenth century, Russian composers were focusing on creating a national sound based around folk songs. Chamber music was largely unpopular and thus, many composers did not write for this genre. This is just one of the reasons the two quintets on this recording are significant works. Alexander Glazunov was a cellist who learned his instrument through the performance of chamber works, and composed seven string quartets throughout the course of his career. His Quintet in A major is featured on this album. Sergei Taneyev’s impassioned String Quintet No. 1 in G major is also featured on this disc. Taneyev, who was great friends with Tchaikovsky, was a more Western-oriented composer. The Gringolts Quartet, along with cellist Christian Poltera, presents these two works on their first release with the Bis label.