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The Classical Explorer

Chamber Music: January 2009 Archives

Romantic String Octets

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Chandos CHAN8790

Joachim Raff
(1822-1882)

Octet for Strings in C Major Op. 176 (1872)

Felix Mendelssohn
(1809-1847)

Octet for Strings in E Flat Major Op. 20 (1825)

Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble
Chandos CHAN8790 55:26

Raff was neglected for much of the twentieth century, but in the last few years there has been a rediscovery of his many works. The Raff Octet was obviously influenced greatly by the Mendelssohn Octet, so it is a very natural pairing of works on this disc. Raff employs fine melodies and exciting inner part writing – extensions of Mendelssohn's chamber music style, especially Raff's use of the light rapid musical filigree that Mendelssohn employs in the scherzo of his Octet. The second movement of the Raff is a good example of the combination of the rapid skittering paired with a fluid melody line that arrives and departs. Julian Haylock, in the liner notes, calls Raff's third movement "a 'Song Without Words' in all but name".

Both works are beautifully written and beautifully performed. A must-see website for those interested in learning more about Raff: http://www.raff.org/

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic - CD Universe ]

[ Sheet music for the Mendelssohn Octet: Sheet Music PlusMusicnotes.com
  Sheet music for parts for the Raff Octet can be found here at Edition Silvertrust. ]

Piano Trios From Belgium

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Fuga Libera FUG518

Joseph Jongen
(1873-1953)

Piano Trio, Op. 10 (1896-97)
Aquarelles for Violin & Piano, Op. 59 (1918)
Two Pieces for Piano Trio, Op. 95 (1931)

Ensemble Joseph Jongen
Fuga Libera FUG518 61:24

Jongen's quartets featured in an earlier Explorer article. The works on this CD will appeal to anyone who enjoys Debussy, Ravel and Fauré in particular. The Op. 10 trio has had other recordings but Op. 95 is less well-known: the first piece especially has some limpid piano writing that makes it a real winner. The pianist, Diane Andersen, will be a familiar name to seasoned collectors.

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic ]

[ Sheet music by this composer: Sheet Music PlusMusicnotes.com ]

Quartets on Maori Folk Songs

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Naxos 8.570491

Alfred Hill
(1869-1960)

String Quartet #1 in B Flat Major "Maori"
String Quartet #2 in G minor "A Maori Legend in Four Scenes"
String Quartet #3 in A minor "The Carnival"

Dominion Quartet
Naxos 8.570491 65:41

In spite of the little note on the back of the disc jewel box, I do not immediately think of either Tchaikovsky or Dvořák when I listen to these charming quartets. I'm put more in the mood of Grieg's Lyric Pieces for piano (but not his string quartet!) or the Americans, Chadwick and Foote. I admit that I don't know enough about Maori folk music to identify themes or characteristics, but I do know that these quartets are lovely and memorable and belong to the tradition of German Romantic compositions.

Of particular note is the very quiet and sweet second movement from the Second String Quartet, "The Dream". It has an otherworldly quality of great beauty and delicacy.

Although Hill was an Australian who also lived in New Zealand for some years, his early musical training was in Leipzig and his violin and viola performance was with the Gewandhaus Orchestra. Hill was a most prolific composer. He is said to have composed over 2000 works, among them, seventeen string quartets. The performers in the Dominion Quartet, a fine group of excellent musicians dedicated to performing the music of New Zealand composers, are Yury Gezentsvay, and David Pucher, violins; Donald Maurice, viola; and David Chikering, cello.

Another volume of Alfred Hill string quartets performed by the Dominion Quartet (#4, 6, and 8) is available on Naxos 8.572097.

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic - CD Universe ]

Beyond the Famous Violin Concerto

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CPO 999451

Max Bruch
(1838-1920)

String Octet, Op. posth. (1920)
Quintet for Piano & String Quartet, Op. posth. (1918)
String Quintet in A minor (1918)

Ensemble Ulf Hoelscher
CPO 999451-2 78:54

Two of these stunning works were written at the end of Bruch's long and productive musical life. If you already know and love the First Violin Concerto, Bruch's most popular work, you will certainly enjoy all of these exceptionally lovely pieces.

The Octet, with it's depth of emotion, and its rich scoring (virtuosic first violin part and use of bass viol to replace the more customary cello) creates a mood that is poignant and unforgettable.

The Viola Quintet is a delightful work and it contains an ear-worm Scherzo. I played the Scherzo over and over and wound up singing, whistling, tapping my foot and finally was compelled to purchase the parts.

Mention must be made of Ulf Hoelscher and his ensemble. It is an especially fine-sounding group, and he is a strong and sensitive violinist. This disc is a must-have for chamber music lovers. Thanks again to CPO for being a champion of lesser-known works.

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic - CD Universe ]

[ Sheet music by this composer: Sheet Music PlusMusicnotes.com ]
Trumpet