ERNEST BLOCH (1880–1959) Piano Quintets

 

Piano Quintet No 1 1921–3 [34'09]

1 Agitato [8'39] 2 Andante mistico [11'09] 3 Allegro energico [14'09]

4 Night string quartet 1923 [3'03]

Paysages (Landscapes) string quartet 1923 [6'47]

5 North: Moderato molto [2'15] 6 Alpestre: Allegretto [2'35] 7 Tongataboo: Allegro [1'46]

Two Pieces string quartet 1938–50 [7'28]

8 Andante moderato [3'52] 9 Allegro molto [3'27]

Piano Quintet No 2 1957 [18'52]

bl Animato [4'52] bm Andante [6'00] bn Allegro [7'50]

 

Goldner String Quartet

Dene Olding, violin

Dimity Hall, violin

Irina Morozova, viola

Julian Smiles, cello

Piers Lane, piano

 

Serenity and meditation contrast with melancholy and savagery; primitive passions yield to poignancy, nobility and tenderness in Bloch’s accomplished chamber music. Five substantial pieces are recorded here, dating from different stages of the composer’s career and demonstrating both the programmatic elements of his writing and his Impressionistic side. Bloch’s deep affinity for string instruments and the piano is also given ample expression in these works, all of which deserve a permanent place in the chamber music repertoire. They are given performances of great vitality and sensitivity by the Goldner String Quartet and Piers Lane.

 

Hyperion CDA67638