ARTEMIS QUARTET & LEIF OVE ANDSNES

Brahms & Schumann Piano quintets

 

Johannes Brahms 1833-1897

1-4) Piano Quintet in F minor Op. 34

I Allegro non troppo – Poco sostenuto – Tempo I

II Andante, un poco adagio

III Scherzo (Allegro) & trio

IV Finale (Poco sostenuto – Allegro non troppo – Presto non troppo)

 

Robert Schumann 1810-1856

5-8) Piano Quintet in E flat major Op. 44

I Allegro brillante

II In modo d’une marcia – Un poco largamente

III Scherzo: Molto vivace

IV Allegro non troppo

 

Leif Ove Andsnes piano

Artemis Quartet: Natalia Prischepenko, Heime Müller violins, Volker Jacobsen viola – Eckart Runge cello

 

EMI Classics pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and Virgin Classics’ string quartet, the Artemis, have joined their formidable musical forces to record two of the most beautiful piano quintets of the Romantic chamber music repertoire. Their collaboration makes for what will certainly be considered a landmark recording, bringing a new vigour to these well-known masterpieces.

 

The recording was made right after their highly successful European tour in December 2007.

 

The programme couples 2 major piano quintets by Brahms and Schumann. Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor Op.34 is the composer’s only piano quintet and is considered one of his finest compositions. The work began life as a string quintet, later evolving into a sonata for two pianos, before taking its final form in 1866.

 

Of Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E Op. 44, Clara Schumann, who premiered it said: “A glorious piece, extremely brilliant and effective. Schumann’s sole composition for piano quintet was composed in 1842, a year practically devoted to the composition of chamber works for piano and strings.

 

Virgin 3951432