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The chamber works of Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) have long been seen as a window onto the German composer’s rigorous, intricate approach to composition and restrained yet Romantic style. This is true of his piano quartets; although he only composed three, in their individual characters and masterful control of musical material, they are an integral aspect of Brahms’s chamber output. The Piano Quartet in G minor Op.25, the earliest of Brahms’s works in this genre, reveals the composer’s great creativity. Based on short motifs that are continuously extended and combined to form larger structures, it draws on song-like melodies in the first movement and Hungarian folk music in the finale, to create a work that, at times, seems to stray into the territory of orchestral music. The second Quartet in A Op.26 is relaxed and expansive in comparison, with flowing, extended melodies that retain a sense of control and poise, while The Piano Quartet No.3 in C minor is the most dramatic, practically operatic in style. Since the initial release of this popular Brilliant Classics recording, its performers have gone from strength to strength. While Isabelle Faust has forged a reputation as one of the leading international violinists, particularly in chamber music, Derek Han, Bruno Giuranna and Alain Meunier are some of the most acclaimed musicians in their fields. Chamber music enthusiasts should not be without this world-class recording in their collections. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Brahms - Piano Quartets Nos. 1 & 3
Fourth release on ONYX from “Britain’s premier chamber ensemble” (The Times) and second in their ongoing Brahms series, a generous 74 minute coupling containing the G Minor and C Minor Piano Quartets. This new recording is produced by the legendary Andrew Keener who will also produce the next title in the series, the String Quintets for ONYX in December and the remaining Piano Quartet coupled with the Clarinet Trio in 2009. “It's difficult to imagine anyone who would not warm now to this deeply Romantic work and its equally ardent predecessor, especially in performances as affectionate and musicianly as these. …these players, long familiar with the works, project complete understanding and warmth of feeling.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2009 **** “The Nash take a… traditional approach, emphasising the dark hues of the opening of the First Quartet, pianist Ian Brown making much of the bell-like sonorities of the bass. They are particularly effective in the richly coloured slow movements and bring out the earthiness of Brahms's textures to good effect.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2009 “These are terrific, clear-sighted yet impassioned performances of two compelling chamber works, given by a first-rate team of players. In the opening two movements of the G minor piano quartet, composed in 1861, there’s a beautiful control of pace and stress, the flavour slightly restrained, though there is certainly plenty of fire in the unrelenting, brilliant gypsy music of the exuberant finale. The C minor quartet, completed in 1874, speaks of darker matter, and was first thought of when Brahms was guiltily preoccupied with thoughts of Clara Schumann. This is an appositely fiery reading.” Sunday Times, 23.11.08 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Following their autumn 2007 release of Brahms’s Double Concerto and Clarinet Quintet Renaud Capuçon and Gautier Capuçon further their plan to record the composer’s complete solo and chamber works for Virgin Classics. After Renaud’s collaboration with Nicholas Angelich for the violin sonatas, later joined by Gautier for the piano trios, French violist Gérard Caussé joined them in Lugano last December to record Brahms three Piano Quartets. The mid-priced set brings together on two CDs all three of Brahms’ piano quartets, which although they were composed at the same time (even though Op. 62 was first performed in 1875), are very different in character and mood, from a lighter and more poetic nature in the first 2, opus, to a darker more sombre atmosphere in Op. 60. “What freshness and spontaneity! Four first-rank players give their all to some of Brahms's most passionate music, and create the precious effect of discovering that music for the first time.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2008 ***** “…there is much to admire in this latest chamber set from the Capuçons et al. As ever, they don’t rely on received interpretative wisdom, and often shed new light where others follow more predictable paths.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2009 “these performances of the three Brahms piano quartets with viola player Gérard Caussé and pianist Nicholas Angelich, have a wonderfully natural flow and sense of poise. Angelich may be a Brahms specialist, but there is nothing overbearing or intellectualised about his contributions” The Guardian, 7th November 2008 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Brahms - Piano Quartet
Jean-Claude Pennetier, Régis Pasquier, Bruno Pasquier & Roland Pidoux | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Brahms: Complete Piano Trios
Trio Wanderer: Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabedian (violin), Raphael Pidoux (cello) & Vincent Coq (piano) The four piano trios and the first of the three piano quartets cover a large part of the career of Johannes Brahms, from the youthful convulsions of the Trios op.8 and op. posth. (dating from 1854) to the masterpiece of late Romantic literature constituted by op.101 of 1886. A repertoire that is naturally close to the hearts of the Wanderer Trio. “This is some of the most elegant playing I have heard in Brahms's chamber music …superb playing” BBC Music Magazine | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Remastered Quadro Recording (RQR) “…sounds warm and palatable, even when judged by today’s best digital standards…beautiful playing by
any standards, so poised…the Beaux Arts..are always a joy to encounter.” The Gramophone | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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“This is an outstanding performance of Brahms's G minor Piano Quartet, unforgettable for its spontaneity and uninhibited Romantic warmth and verve. The booklet reminds us that this 1971 recording made history since 'a contract between an artist from the Soviet Union and a Western label was a sensational event in cultural diplomacy'.
Reproduced with respect for the sound quality of its time, the playing has a glowing strength and intensity throughout. Only in the first movement's opulent textures does the keyboard occasionally dominate. From Emil Gilels we're also given a maturely unhurried, essentially 'inward' recording of Brahms's youthful Ballades.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Brahms: Piano Quartets
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| |  | Brahms: Piano Quartet No.1 & Rachmaninov: Cinq Etudes Tableaux
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| |  | Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1
“Argerich is a pianistic marvel, effortlessly dispensing tumultuous energy and temperament, but this ensemble lacks interpretative and recorded focus.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2012 **** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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