Dohnányi, Ernö - Piano Quintets Nos. 1 & 2 - Schubert Ensemble of London (The)
The Schubert Ensemble of LondonWilliam Howard - piano
Mayumi Seiler - violin
Douglas Paterson - viola
Jane Salmon - cello
Peter Buckoke - double bass
Ernö Dohnányi is the least celebrated of the seminal triumvirate of twentieth-century Hungarian composers; Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók have become household names, yet Dohnányi's posthumous fame hangs upon an unrepresentative handful of compositions. This recording brings together three of his finest chamber works; the two masterful yet hugely contrasting Piano Quintets, and his remarkable essay in that most underutilized of instrumental genres, the string trio.
The Serenade in C for string trio falls within the direct lineage of models in the genre by Mozart and Beethoven, yet proves a decisive watershed for Dohnányi himself, fully articulating his nationally infused mature style for the first time. The Piano Quintets reflect an enduring and deep-rooted regard for both Brahms and Schumann, and even Mendelssohn.
'Fresh, vital and spirited performances' (BBC Music Magazine)
'Soaring performances ... a stunning recording ... this disc is easily recommended' (Fanfare, USA)
'This excellent group plays with calm confidence throughout and features some notably silvery violin tone. A delightful disc' (Hi-Fi News)
'A clear three-star recommendation' (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)