Sergei Taneyev - Piano Chamber Music (Anna Zassimova; etc.)

Information

Composer: Sergei Taneyev

CD1:

• (01-04) Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 30

CD2:

• (01-03) Piano Quartet in E major, Op. 20
• (04-07) Piano Trio in D major, Op. 22

Anna Zassimova, piano
Albrecht Breuninger, violin
Stefan Krznaric, violin
Julien Heichelbech, viola
Bernhard Lörcher, cello

Date: 2014
Label: cpo

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Review

It’s a sign of the times that all three of these late chamber works by Taneyev have multiple recordings in print. And this album provides some of the finest, most committed playing in all three compositions that I’ve heard in some time. The piano trio is as good as the legendary Oistrakh-Knushevitsky-Oborin version (currently available on Brilliant Classics 9272), matching the twists and turns of Taneyev’s quixotic musical thought processes with ease. The piano quintet’s finale equals the technical poise and hair-raising tension of Pletnev et al (Deutsche Gramophon 449602), but surpasses them in the subtle flexibility and warm phrasing of the largo movement; and the scherzo is less hard-driven, allowing for more of the movement’s airy whimsy à la Saint-Saëns to shine through. Meanwhile, if you want to hear passion, momentum, and a perfect balance between the parts, check out the piano quartet’s allegro brillante.

I admit to being caught by surprise by this release. I’ve admired Zassimova and Breuninger for some time, but I was unaware they, and their compatriots here, had put in much time together on these difficult, extremely rewarding works. It’s clear they have, however, and that the studio recording environment does nothing to dampen the spontaneity of their music-making. I could only wish that CPO had provided sound that was a bit more forward. In particular, Zassimova’s piano and Lörcher’s cello are slightly muffled. But with playing and interpretation like this, I can forgive a lot.

Timings are short, thanks to the first disc only containing the piano quintet. Too bad they didn’t convince Zassimova to perform Taneyev’s late Prelude and Fugue in G? Minor, or several of his early scherzos. Regardless, all three works are beautifully performed on this set that has become a persuasive contestant for my next Want List.

-- Barry Brenesal, FANFARE

More reviews:
MusicWeb International  RECORDING OF THE MONTH
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/Sep14/Taneyev_chamber_7777932.htm

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Sergei Taneyev (November 25 [O.S. November 13] 1856 – June 19 [O.S. June 6] 1915) was a Russian composer, pianist, teacher of composition, music theorist and author. Among his teachers at the Moscow Conservatory are Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (composition) and Nikolai Rubinstein (piano). Taneyev's specialized field of study was counterpoint, and he was considered one of the greatest of contrapuntalists. Taneyev's compositions, including nine complete string quartets and four symphonies, reveal his mastery of classical composition technique, but many of them were considered "dry and laboured in character".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Taneyev

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Anna Zassimova is Russian pianist. She studied piano with Vladimir Tropp at the Gnessin Music Academy in Moscow, and with Michael Uhde and Markus Stange at the Music University in Karlsruhe, where she now teaches. Zassimova is known as a Chopin specialist and also as a performer of contemporary music both as a solo recitalist and with chamber groups. She also champions the work of Georgy Catoire (1861-1926). Although Zassimova is best known for her classical recitals and for playing authentic period instruments, she has also premiered many works by contemporary composers.
http://annazassimova.com/

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