Composer: Franz Schubert, Ferdinand Ries, Franz Limmer, George Onslow, Johann Baptist Cramer, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Johann Ladislaus Dussek
Performer: Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet, Riko Fukuda, Franc Polman, Elisabeth Smalt, Jan Insinger, Peter Smithuijsen
Number of Discs: 4
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Brilliant Classics
Catalogue: 94377
Release: 2012
Size: 1.08 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Ries: Piano Quintet in B minor Op.74
01. I. Grave – Allegro con brio
02. II. Larghetto
03. III. Rondo: Allegro – Andantino – Allegro
Limmer: Piano Quintet in D minor Op.13
04. I. Allegro energico
05. II. Scherzo
06. III. Adagio
07. IV. Finale
CD 02
Hummel: Piano Quintet in E flat minor Op.87
01. I. Allegro e risoluto assai
02. II. Menuetto: Allegro con fuoco
03. III. Largo
04. IV. Allegro agitato
Dussek: Piano Quintet in F minor Op.41
05. I. Allegro non troppo
06. II. Adagio espressivo non troppo
07. III. Finale: Allegretto ma espressivo
Onslow: Piano Quintet in G Op.76
08. I. Largo – Allegro
09. II. Scherzo: Allegro vivace
10. III. Romanza: Andantino molto cantabile
11. IV. Finale: ‘Le Coup de Vent’
CD 03
Cramer: Piano Quintet in B flat Op.79
01. I. Allegro moderato con spirito
02. II. Adagio cantabile
03. III. Rondo: Allegro
Schubert: Piano Quintet in A Op.114 posth. D667 ‘The Trout’
04. I. Allegro vivace
05. II. Andante
06. III. Scherzo: Presto
07. IV. Theme with variations: Andantino – Allegretto
08. V. Finale: Allegro giusto
CD 04
Hummel: Piano Quintet in D minor Op.74
01. I. Allegro con spirito
02. II. Menuetto o scherzo: Allegro
03. III. Andante con variazioni
04. IV. Finale: Vivace
Onslow: Piano Quintet in B minor Op.70
05. I. Allegro grandioso e non troppo presto
06. II. Andantino cantabile e simplice
07. III. Allegretto molto moderato
This four-disc set provides listeners with a fantastic introduction to the Romantic piano quintet, showcasing lesser-known gems of the genre, alongside a few more recognisable offerings. Performed by the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet, who specialise in performing with the more unusual ensemble of piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass, this is a unique and fascinating project. The collection places the first half of the 19th century in the spotlight, an era that experienced a steady stream of creativity in the area of chamber music. In the opening disc, quintets by Ries and Limmer are explored, works of impressive drama that both feature an ambitious level of virtuoso piano writing. The second disc surveys quintets by Dussek, Onslow and Hummel, whose elegant and refined style can also be heard in the Op.74 quintet on disc four. In disc three, alongside the English composer Cramers Quintet in B flat, Schuberts famous Trout quintet is featured, an inventive work, particularly in its approach to harmony. The set is concluded by George Onslows Op.70. These beautiful recordings by the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet capture the central qualities of the Romantic piano quintet, bringing to life the warm timbres, fluid melodies, challenging virtuosity and growing sense of drama. The ensemble specialise in bringing to life repertoire that has been forgotten in the passage of time and, as their premiere performances of the Limmer and Cramer quintets demonstrate, these works are particularly deserving of rediscovery.