Josef Suk - Piano Quintet; Piano Quartet (Nash Ensemble)

Information

Composer: Josef Suk

1. Piano Quartet in A minor, Op. 1: I. Allegro appassionato
2. Piano Quartet in A minor, Op. 1: II. Adagio
3. Piano Quartet in A minor, Op. 1: III. Allegro con fuoco
4. 4 pieces for violin and piano, Op. 17: 1. Quasi Ballata: Andante sostenuto
5. 4 pieces for violin and piano, Op. 17: 2. Appassionato: Vivace
6. 4 pieces for violin and piano, Op. 17: 3. Un poco triste: Andante espressivo
7. 4 pieces for violin and piano, Op. 17: 4. Burlesca: Allegro vivace
8. Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 8: I. Allegro energico
9. Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 8: II. Adagio: Religioso
10. Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 8: III. Scherzo: Presto
11. Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 8: IV. Allegro fuoco

Nash Ensemble
Marianne Thorsen, violin 1
Benjamin Nabarro, violin 2
Lawrence Power, viola
Paul Watkins, cello
Ian Brown, piano

Date: 2003
Label: Hyperion
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDH55416

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Review

Josef Suk’s rarely heard Piano Quartet and Piano Quintet were written when he was still a teenager, but they spill over with evidence of his talent—far more, in fact, than you’ll find in the popular but nondescript Serenade for Strings, composed at about the same time. Of course, the influences are evident—not only the expected Dvoøák and Brahms (the Quintet has many points of contact with Brahms’s own Piano Quartet in the same key), but also Grieg (the Piano Concerto nearly breaks into the finale of the Quartet) and, more surprisingly, the French school, especially Fauré. Then, too, the composer’s inexperience sometimes shows in the occasionally square phrasing and in the slightly clunky handling of textures—in this regard, these early works are closer to the Mahler Piano Quartet than to the astonishingly fluent (but also less individual) Piano Quintet that Dohnányi penned at about the same age. Still, by any standards this is first-rate music—and captivating music, as well. In part, its attractions come from its melodies, sometimes sunny, sometimes tender and evocative, sometimes ecstatic (try the second movement of the Quintet), sometimes dark (the calm middle movement of the Quartet is especially haunting), always alluring. Its attractions come, too, from its consistent impetus: it’s never driven, much less over-wrought, but the sense of direction is always clear. Most of all, this music enchants us because of its winning combination of innocence and self-confidence. This music won’t shock you, much less change you: there’s no hint yet of the self-lacerating doubts that sear the “Asrael” Symphony of the next decade. But if it’s not revelatory, it’s surely lovable—no small virtue.

The coupling is made more welcome by the presence of the slightly later Four Pieces, a bit more challenging in idiom (especially in the often hypnotic opener, with its hints of Scriabin), but just as rejuvenating in spirit (the barn-burning conclusion is especially exhilarating). As for the performances: even if the recordings featuring violinist Josef Suk (the composer’s grandson) were easier to find, these fresh-sounding, light-textured Nash Ensemble interpretations would hold their own in the catalog. Excellent engineering and informative notes, too. A magnificent release.

-- Peter J. Rabinowitz, FANFARE

More reviews:
ClassicsToday  ARTISTIC QUALITY: 8 / SOUND QUALITY: 8
BBC Music Magazine  PERFORMANCE: ***** / SOUND: *****
http://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/suk-piano-quartet-piano-quintet
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/apr05/suk_nash_CDA67448.htm
http://www.classical.net/~music/recs/reviews/h/hyp67448a.php
http://www.allmusic.com/album/josef-suk-piano-quintet-piano-quartet-mw0001417591

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Josef Suk (4 January 1874 – 29 May 1935) was a Czech composer and violinist. Known as one of Dvořák's favorite pupils, Suk became very close to his mentor and later married Dvořák's daughter, Otilie. Suk was the grandfather of famed Czech violinist Josef Suk (1929-2011). Suk's musical style started off with a very heavy emphasis on what he experienced during his time with Dvořák, though this Czech-style influence eventually slowly became more German and Austrian in style. Suk, alongside Vitezslav Novak and Ostrčil, is considered one of the leading composers in Czech Modernism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Suk_(composer)

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London-based Nash Ensemble is a chamber orchestra consisting of 11 regular members, though their number can vary widely according to the work performed. The group's repertory is broad, but favours modern works by English composers. Founded in 1964 by Amelia Freedman, its longtime artistic director, the Nash Ensemble took its name from the famous Nash terraces in London, designed by architect John Nash. Mostly associated with the Hyperion label, it has continued to record prolifically, with releases balanced between mainstream repertory and contemporary works in many styles and from many different countries

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nash-ensemble-mn0001914151

http://www.nashensemble.org.uk/

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