Hummel, J: Piano Quintet in D Minor

Hummel was one of the most famous piano virtuoso of his era, just in London he ran into Paganini who was at that time an even bigger star.

Again in this quintet Hummel shows how a virtuoso fortepiano part can be implemented in some great chamber music.

Although first known as a septet it became immediately famous at its first performance in 1816. This quintet would serve as a model for Schubert’s Trout Quintet - During his own lifetime and up to the end of the 19th century, George Onslow was held in the highest regard, particularly in Germany, Austria and England where he was regularly placed in the front rank of composers.

Another recording by the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet, who’s previous recordings, received much praise from the specialist press.

In this recording the ensemble focuses on the “Schubert setting” including the double bass, and on content that deserves further exploration.

Playing on famous instruments from the Edwin Beunk collection the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet were able to select the best instruments for each piece.

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 Cramer’s Quintet in B flat, Schubert’s famous ‘Trout’ quintet is featured, an inventive work, particularly in its approach to harmony. The set is concluded by George Onslow’s 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.