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Brahms: Quintets, Op. 34 & 111 / Giltburg, Nikl, Pavel Haas Quartet
Supraphon

Brahms: Quintets, Op. 34 & 111 / Giltburg, Nikl, Pavel Haas Quartet

$33.99

Details

Composer
Johannes Brahms
Artist
Boris Giltbrug, Pavel Nikl
Format
CD
Label
Supraphon
Released
May 13, 2022
Catalog #
SU4306-2
UPC
099925430627

About

In every way, a superior Brahms chamber release.

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 Dvorák’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 Dvorák quintets, the logical idea of a Brahms album was born. And now it has come to fruition.

Dvorák 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 color 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. From Dvorák to Brahms. A spellbinding “symphonic” chamber music sound.

REVIEW:

The group gets big sonorities, propelled but not overwhelmed by the piano in Op. 34 and by the cello that opens the Op. 111 quintet. The group really shines in the turbulent F minor piano quintet, as dark and intense as anything else Brahms ever wrote, and a work that went through several versions before the composer was satisfied with it. One feature of this ensemble is the variety of timbres offered by the individual players, with the rich tone of violist Luosha Fang an ideal foil for the edgier violinists. The players are aided by superb, almost tactile sound from Prague's Domovina Studio. In every way, a superior Brahms chamber release.

-- AllMusicGuide.com (James Manheim)

Tracklist 8 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro non troppo 15:36
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro non troppo
    Duration
    15:36
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Boris Giltburg
    Ensemble
    Pavel Haas Quartet
  2. 2 II. Andante un poco adagio 08:32
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante un poco adagio
    Duration
    08:32
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Boris Giltburg
    Ensemble
    Pavel Haas Quartet
  3. 3 III. Scherzo: Allegro 07:14
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Scherzo: Allegro
    Duration
    07:14
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Boris Giltburg
    Ensemble
    Pavel Haas Quartet
  4. 4 IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto - Allegro non troppo 10:32
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto - Allegro non troppo
    Duration
    10:32
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Boris Giltburg
    Ensemble
    Pavel Haas Quartet
  5. 5 I. Allegro non troppo, ma con brio 13:14
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Allegro non troppo, ma con brio
    Duration
    13:14
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Pavel Nikl
    Ensemble
    Pavel Haas Quartet
  6. 6 II. Adagio 06:09
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    06:09
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Pavel Nikl
    Ensemble
    Pavel Haas Quartet
  7. 7 III. Un poco allegretto 05:30
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Un poco allegretto
    Duration
    05:30
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Pavel Nikl
    Ensemble
    Pavel Haas Quartet
  8. 8 IV. Vivace ma non troppo presto 04:57
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Vivace ma non troppo presto
    Duration
    04:57
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Pavel Nikl
    Ensemble
    Pavel Haas Quartet