Hummel, Dussek, Onslow: Piano Quintets / Nepomuk Quintet

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HUMMEL Piano Quintet in e?, op. 87. DUSSEK Piano Quintet in f, op. 41. ONSLOW Piano Quintet in G, op. 76 • Nepomuk Fortepiano Qnt...


HUMMEL Piano Quintet in e?, op. 87. DUSSEK Piano Quintet in f, op. 41. ONSLOW Piano Quintet in G, op. 76 • Nepomuk Fortepiano Qnt • BRILLIANT 93203 (78:43)


Brilliant Classics has become one of today’s most enterprising and profitable labels worldwide. With their unmistakably Dutch nose for merchandising, they’ve so far made life difficult for many smaller labels, if not impossible. Their recipe: quality performances (mostly licensed) in a cheap package and at a low price. Critic’s opinions are divided about this commercial strategy and the potential threat it may impose on the future of recording. Although there certainly are a number of questionable consequences for the market, we can also see a very positive evolution. At this moment, Brilliant Classics has gathered sufficient financial funds to give superb but less recognized ensembles the chance to get more attention.


This disc presents major piano quintets of three central European composers: Hummel, Dussek, and Onslow. Their work is situated in the transition period from the Classical to the early Romantic. All three composers made their way up to the courts of Vienna, Paris, or London, and were very successful at the time.


Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s music is original and joyful, even passionate at times. The first movement is a good example of that—a fresh and original work, full of joy and wit. The Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet consists of four superb string-players who met during their musical work in the Netherlands. Together with pianist Riko Fukuda they formed an ensemble with a beautiful and distinguished sound. Fukuda’s approach is a little lighthearted and ideally suited for this music. The manner in which all five musicians construct musical phrases throughout is quite impressive. And their sound blends superbly. The same thing goes for the idiomatic music of Dussek and the grimmer quintet by George Onslow. The refinement with which these musicians rediscover this relatively unknown music is simply astonishing.


Hyperion has an appealing alternative version of Hummel’s Quintet with the Capricorn Ensemble—in that typical Hyperion sound; it’s still a hard-to-beat version of this work. If you can find it, you should try Dussek’s Quintet on Meridian with pianist Christine Croshaw and friends. To my great sorrow, I don’t own a version of the Onslow quintet, and I haven’t been able to find any either (although it certainly deserves more attention).


The sound of this recording is quite impressive too; the level of detail is amazing, and the spatial depth is compelling. The engineers at Brilliant know their job very well. This is a very valuable release. Presented with an interesting booklet (with pictures), this disc will be very hard to beat if you’re looking for an original performance of some great music.


FANFARE: Bart Verhaeghe


Product Description:

  • Release Date: March 01, 2007


  • UPC: 842977032031


  • Catalog Number: BRI93203


  • Label: Brilliant Classics


  • Number of Discs: 1


  • Composer: Georges Onslow, Jan Ladislav Dussek, Johann Nepomuk Hummel


  • Orchestra/Ensemble: Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet


  • Performer: Elisabeth Smalt, Franc Polman, Jan Insinger, Pieter Smithuijsen, Riko Fuduka