Quintet In F Minor (Op. 34) plus the G Minor A Major and C Minor Quartets (Opp. 25 26 60). Breitkopf

This work composed in 1878/79 alternates between chamber music intimacy and symphonic opulence and marks the beginning of a series of significant late works by César Franck. Its composition was partly prompted by the successfulperformance of Franck?s youthful piano trios at the ?Société nationale de musique? (founded in 1871) and probably also by a composition competition for works using this instrumental combination whose deadline Franck then went onto miss. The Quintet was received coolly at its first performance in January 1880 and it was performed just a few more times during the composer?s lifetime. It was only in the 20th century that audiences and critics came torecognise this work as a major milestone in the history of French chamber music and it now adorns the Henle catalogue in a new Urtext edition.

The composition cost him his sleep. In October 1842 when Schumann had finished his Piano quintet in a short period of time he was physically and emotionally drained. The work in no way reflects this quite thecontrary. ?Full of strength and freshness? said Clara Schumann of the new composition as well as ?extremely brilliant and effective?. Even Richard Wagner added his voice to the great wave of admiration. Thus Op.44 soon became one of Schumann?s most successful compositions which today is still a jewel in chamber music literature. If the quartet reminds one of a Piano concerto with Orchestra in String quartet format attimes this is explained by the fact that it was intended for Clara?s repertoire. The work was also dedicated to this brilliant pianist.

Opus 15. Par FAURE GABRIEL. Dans la foulée de sa Première sonate pour violon, Fauré composa, avec le Quatuor pour piano et cordes op. 15, une nouvelle grande ?uvre de musique de chambre. Cette pièce d?une fraîcheur toute juvénile rencontra lors de sa création en février 1880, un large assentiment. Peu de temps après, des amis émirent toutefois quelques réserves à l?encontre du dernier mouvement. Après un temps de réflexion de trois ans, Fauré élabora un tout nouveau Finale. Avec ce nouveau mouvement conclusif, l?Opus 15 trouva rapidement le chemin des salles de concerts; il est aujourd?hui considéré comme l?une des ?uvres de musique de chambre française les plus significatives et populaires du dix-neuvième siècle finissant. Les doigtés de la partie de piano ont été réalisés par un spécialiste de la musique française, le pianiste Pascal Rogé. / Date parution : 2022-04-05/ Répertoire / Quatuor avec Piano