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Soundbites from 2006
Of CDs Reviewed in
We have provided synopsis reviews. Entire reviews can be found in the referenced issue. Soundbites are provided as educational examples of the comments in the reviews. Please note we do not sell CDs and these soundbites are not complete movements but only short clips which are reproduced under the educational and research fair use exception to U.S. Copyright Law—Title 17 Sec. 107. These soundbites can be listened to on line if you have DSL or cable or downloaded if you have dial-up service. The files are in MP3 format.
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COMPOSER, WORK, CD & ISSUE |
REVIEW SUMMARY |
SOUNDBITES |
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Antonio Cartellieri (1772-1807) 5 Quartets for Clarinet & String Trio (1806) 2CDs: MD&G 301 1097 /98 Reviewed Summer 2006 |
These works are generally written in the concertante style. The first four might be considered "quatour brillants" or concerti for the clarinet but in chamber music form. The final work, the Quartet in D, though still in concertante style makes much better use of the strings, especially the violin. Charming and full of pleasant melodies | |
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Gaspar Cassado (1897-1966) Piano Trio in C Major CD: Chandos 9834 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
This is a very appealing work in the the Spanish idiom with the exotic perfume of Ravel. Many original & striking effects A real tour d’force. | |
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Jean Cras (1879-1932) Piano Quintet (1922) String Quartet (1909) CD: Timpani 1066 Reviewed Summer 2006
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Cras, a professional naval officer gave his very appealing Piano Quintet a program. It represents the feelings on board during a voyage. It is hard to categorize the music with its elements of jazz, oriental, Arabic and African influences. A first rate work. The string quartet though written 13 years before is far less accessible and tonally more astringent though by no means atonal. | |
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Ignacy Dobrzynski (1807-1867) String Quintet No.1 (2 Vc) in F, Op.20 String Quintet No.2 (2 Vc) in a, Op.40 CD: Acte Prelude 0048 Reviewed Summer 2006 |
Although No.1 is dedicated to Onslow, the music seems to show more of the influence of Spohr in its long running passages from instrument to instrument. There are some very pretty melodies in both works and a fetching polacca in the finale to the First. No.2 shows Onslow's influence and makes rather good use of the second cello. Both quintets are quite good although the Second is probably the stronger of the two. | |
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Ernst von Dohnanyi (1877-1960) Piano Quartet in f# minor (1891) Hochzeitsmarsch for Piano Quintet (1910) CD: Hungaroton 32148 Reviewed Spring 2006 |
Piano Qt is a remarkable work written when he was 14. Had Brahms heard it, he would have thought himself in the presence of a second Mozart. This work ranks alongside those of the great masters. The Wedding March makes an interesting occasional piece. | |
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Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) Prelude, Recitatif & Variations, Op.3 for Flute, Viola & Piano CD: BIS 1439 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
Completely tonal and in the tradition of the French impressionists. It is in one long movement of three distinct sections played without pause This unusual combination sounds entirely natural | Prelude et.al. |
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Eduard Franck (1817-1893) String Sextet No.1, Op.40 String Sextet No.2, Op.50 CD: Audite 97.501 Reviewed Summer 2006
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Both works show the influence of Mendelssohn, the first more than the second although the finale to the second might well be a tribute to Felix. The first 2 movements of Sextet No.1 show considerably more inspiration than the last two. But Sextet No.2 is a work of the first order from start to finish, tuneful and well-crafted. Recently republished and worthy of concert performance. | |
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Enrique Granados (1867-1916) Piano Trio, Op.50 CD: Chandos 9834 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
Combines a French impressionistic sound with what might be called neo-Schubertian melodies of a highly romantic nature. This is a very attractive work. | |
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Reinhold Gliere (1875-1956) String Sextet No.3 in C Major, Op.11 String Octet in D Major, Op.5 CD: MD&G 308 1196 Reviewed Winter 2006 |
Both works are full of Russian folk melody and attractive rhythmic dances, rich and highly lyrical. Each is a brilliant masterwork. They are full-blooded, at times almost orchestral. Gliere demonstrates his mastery of form, tonal color, mood, and melody. Of their kind, they are unsurpassed. | |
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Alexander Gretchaninov (1864-1956) String Quartet No.1, Op.2 String Quartet No.2, Op.70 CD: MD&G 603 1157 Reviewed Spring 2006 |
Both works won prizes but as one contemporary critic put it, “It would be hard to ascribe the two quartets to the same composer.” Qt 1 is very Russian sounding & shows the influence of Rimsky Korsakov. A superb work which would be an ornament in any professional quartet's repertoire but will pose no difficulties for amateurs. Qt 2 is a synthesis of Sergei Taneyev, Scriabin and the French impressionists. | |
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Reynaldo Hahn (1875-1947) Romanesque for Flute, Viola & Piano CD: BIS 1439 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
Very short one movement piece sounds like the background music for a plot taking place in mediaeval France. | |
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E.T.A. Hoffmann (1776-1822) Grand Piano Trio CD: CPO 999 309 Reviewed Spring 2006 |
Shows the influence of Beethoven’s Op.1 trios, and outside of these, little, if anything, better was being written for piano trio at this time (around 1809). | |
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Franz Anton Hoffmeister (1754-1812) Five Quintets for Winds & Strings (No opus) 3 for Oboe, Violin, 2 Violas & Basson 2 for Oboe, 2 Violas, Bassoon & Horn CD: Tudor 7124 Reviewed Winter 2006 |
From a set of 6, these classical era works which Hoffmeister intended as concert works rather than background music as he chose to call them Notturnos rather than Divertimenti. Tuneful and pleasant, they are comparable to what Mozart wrote in this genre. | |
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Joseph Jongen (1873-1953) String Quartet No.1, Op.3 String Quartet No.2, Op.50 CD: Centaur 2691 Reviewed Spring 2006
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Qt 1 was a prize winning composition . A massive work of extraordinary drama and power showing the influence of Central European writers and perhaps Cesar Franck. It is full of original ideas. A masterpiece. Qt 2 shows the influence of the French Impressionists. The work is by turns heroic, delicate, atmospheric and perfumed. | |
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Theodor Kirchner (1823-1903) Works for Piano Trio including Bunte Blätter, Op.83, Serenade in E Major, Ein Gedenkbaltt, Op.15, Zwei Terzette, Op.97 Kleines Trio (1891) Sechs Stücke in kanonischer Form CD: Antes 07985 Reviewed Winter 2006 |
Bunte Blätter are 12 delightful character pieces, each a little gem. The short Serenade in E is very lovely as is Ein Gedenkblatt. The 2 movements from Zwei Terzette are like Schubert's Moments musicaux. The Sechs Stücke are in some ways the most interesting of all. Arrangements of Schumann's works for the pedal piano, they surpass the original composition in excellence by far. | |
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Alexander Krein (1883-1951) Poéme-Quatour Jewish Sketches Op.12 for Clarinet & String Quartet CD: ASD DCA 1154 Reviewed Autumn 2006
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The Quatour is distinctly impressionist in style, Scriabin’s influence is clearly present. The eloquent lyrical sections are full of color. The Jewish Sketches introduce Hebraic folk melody into a formal chamber music setting. One hears stereotypical melodies along with a touch of Klezmer music. The combination makes for a very interesting work. | |
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Mihaly Mosonyi (1815-1870) String Sextet in c (1844) CD: Hungaroton 32300 Reviewed Summer 2006 |
Tonally the work shows the influence of Schubert and Beethoven. Possibly the first major 19th cent effort at a string sextet before Brahms. Though no masterpiece it's by no means bad and has many original ideas. Well-worth hearing. | |
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Tatiana Nikolayeva (1924-1994) Trio for Flute, Viola & Piano, Op.18 CD: BIS 1439 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
In eight short movements, shows a mastery of technique and understanding of the instruments. Each vignette is like a small delicacy. Entirely tonal, though modern tinged at times with the aura of the neo-baroque and neo-classical. | |
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George Onslow (1784-1853) Grand Piano Quintet (Pno, Str Trio & Kb), Op.76 Grand Sextet for Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn & Bass, Op.77bis CD: Centaur 2691 Reviewed Spring 2006 |
The Piano Quintet in the "Trout" instrumentation is truly a masterpiece of its kind. In the Sextet Onslow provides another example of how well he could integrate disparate voices to make a seamless whole. This is another very good work and while one might find its equal, you will not find anything better. |
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George Onslow (1784-1853) String Quintet (2 Vc) No.12 in a, Op.34 String Quintet (2 Vc) No.13 in G, Op.35 CD: MD&G 603 1253 Reviewed Summer 2006 |
No.12 is among Onslow's finest quintets for 2 cellos, in the masterwork category. In turns dramatic, lyrical, and exciting. The slow 3rd movement contains some of the finest writing in the literature. Excellent use is made of the 2nd cello. No.13 is a good work but probably falls short of his best. Both quintets can also be played with a bass in lieu of the second cello. | |
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Andreas Romberg (1767-1821) Six String Quartets: Op.1 Nos.1-3, Op.2 No.2, Op.16 No.2 & Op.30 No.1 2 CDs: MD&G CD Nos.307 0963 & 307 1026 Reviewed Autumn 2006
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With regard to the 1794 Op.1 quartets, the second is probably the strongest. While the part writing and structure of these quartets is fairly good, the thematic material is not as strong as Kozeluch or Pleyel at their best, and not even a match for an average quartet of Krommer or Paul Wranitzky, let alone Haydn. Op.2 No.2 from 1799 is much better than any of the Op.1 and, if not a candidate for the concert hall, would certainly be enjoyed by amateurs. Op.16 No.2 from 1806 breaks no new ground and is pretty ordinary. The 1810 Op.30 No.1 is better and perhaps on a par with what Haydn was writing in 1785. | |
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Max von Schillings (1868-1933) String Quartet in e minor (1909) String Quintet (2 Vla) in E flat major, Op.32 CD: CPO 999 608 Reviewed Winter 2006 |
Schillings was a Wagnerite par excellence. To his credit, his tonalities are more advanced. The quartet, while showing the influence of Wagner, also has affinities with Bruckner, Hugo Wolf & Richard Strauss. The Quintet is more modern sounding yet, at times almost flaunting strident chords but primarily romantic with some French impressionism. | |
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Philipp Schwarenka (1847-1917) String Quartet No.1, Op.117 String Quartet No.2, Op.120 Piano Quintet, Op.118 CD: MD&G 336 0889 Reviewed Spring 2006 |
Qt 1 shows the influence of Mendelssohn. It has fine writing, good ideas, all well executed. Perhaps not a masterpiece but a first class work without question. Qt 2, too, is a good work, perhaps, with the exception of the superb slow (3rd) movement, not as inspired or with quite as good material as the First. As for the Piano Qnt, there is good part-writing, much drama and lyrical melody to be found therein. It is a work deserving of concert performance. Again, though not perhaps a masterwork, certainly first class. | |
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Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) Piano Quartet No.1 in F, Op.15 Piano Trio No.1, Op.35 CD: ASV 1056 Reviewed Summer 2006
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The piano quartet is a very fine work. It is full of wonderful themes, rich scoring and masterful part writing. Stanford was sometimes criticized as being too heavily influenced by Brahms but one does not hear that here. Deserves concert performance. The piano trio, somewhat more advanced tonally, is also a good work freer from German influence than the piano quartet. |
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William Grant Still (1885-1978) Works for String Quartet including Lyric Quartet (1960) Danzas de Panama (1948) Prince & the Mermaid Suite (1965) Summerland (1936) Little Folk Suites (1968) CD: Koch 3.7546 Reviewed Winter 2006
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The Lyric Qt is a mix of French impressionism with American romanticism. The Danzas de Panama are based on a collection of Panamanian folk dances, each dances actually consists of 2 different dances. This is a masterpiece. Prince & Mermaid was music for a play of that name, modern but quite tonal. The Little Folk suites utilized folk music from around the world. Movt2 is a Negro spiritual & Movt3 a Creole folk music. |
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Joaquin Turina (1882-1949) Piano Trio No.2 in b, Op.76 CD: Chandos 9834 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
Highly romantic themes with Andalusian melodies, very subtly presented. Although romantic in conception, at the same time, it is very modern-sounding. | |
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Joaquin Turina (1882-1949) Circulo for Piano Trio, Op.91 CD: Chandos 9834 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
In three short movements, each with the subtitles: Dawn, Midday and Dusk. Though slight, Circulo is an ethereal and intellectual work of considerable charm | |
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Mieczyslaw Vainberg (1919-1996) Trio for for Flute, Viola & Piano, Op.127 CD: BIS 1439 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
The trio is tonal and in what might be called a post-Shostakovich language. It would not be accurate to speak of themes so much as tonal episodes. One almost might think of the experimental effects some composers were looking at in the 1950’s except for the recurrence of certain patterns. | |
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Mieczyslaw Vainberg (1919-1996) String Quartet No.7 in C, Op.59 String Quartet No.8 in c, Op.66 String Quartet No.9 in f#, Op.80 CD: Olympic 686 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
Qt. No.7 begins with and for the most part keeps a mood of depression and of being downtrodden. The musical language is clearly related to late Shostakovich but is perhaps a little more astringent tonally. Qt. No.8 though titularly in one movement, there are four distinct sections. The mood here is mostly overcast with outbursts of anger. It ends on a note of defeat. Qt. No.9 often has an orchestral quality. It is filled with anger and angst. Again the mood conveys a defeated sadness. Although grim and unrelenting, these are important modern works. | |
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Johann Baptist Vanhal (1739-1813) Six String Quartets: Op.1 No.3, Op.2 No.3, Op.6 No.1, Op.6 No.5, Op.6 No.6, and Op.13 No.1 CD: Multisonic 31 0583 Reviewed Autumn 2006 |
These quartets are fairly advanced for their time. (1769-71) They show the influence of the Mannheim school and are not written in a concertante style. The four parts are generally treated equally but the music could just as easily have been written for string orchestra. The melodic material is adequate. Although the themes are not dull, they do not have a particularly original stamp to them. |