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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Those who are only familiar with Bruckner through his symphonies and choral works will find much to admire in his magnificent string quintet, which was composed in 1878, immediately after his revision of the third and fourth symphonies. It is, therefore, a work that belongs to his maturity and shows all the signs of this. This is music of real substance, a worthy heir of Schubert's great string quintet, although Bruckner, like Mozart in his quintets, uses an extra viola rather than the cello which Schubert opts for. The third movement (adagio)is exquisitely beautiful and moving, comparable to the finest of his symphonic slow movements, as is the scherzo in its way.
The String Quartet is an earlier work (1862), but is well worth hearing, as are also the two shorter pieces included on this excellently recorded CD.
For those of a certain age, who can remember the days of Saga ten shilling LPs, the Fine Arts Quartet will be fondly remembered for their many fine recordings from the early 1960's, particularly the Bartok string quartets (now available on the Music & Arts label - see my review). The personnel today are, of course, entirely different, but their playing is of the same high standard.
The String Quartet is an earlier work (1862), but is well worth hearing, as are also the two shorter pieces included on this excellently recorded CD.
For those of a certain age, who can remember the days of Saga ten shilling LPs, the Fine Arts Quartet will be fondly remembered for their many fine recordings from the early 1960's, particularly the Bartok string quartets (now available on the Music & Arts label - see my review). The personnel today are, of course, entirely different, but their playing is of the same high standard.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Despite his now having become an accepted master of the romantic idiom, Bruckner was riven by self-doubt, to the extent that his symphonies are a minefield of differing versions and constant re-writing. Hence it is a delight to discover that these rare examples of his chamber music are so assured and deftly handled. There are alternative movements (included here)- an Intermezzo for the quintet, and a Rondo for the quartet- but not the myriad of varying movements one might expect!
Similarly, since the symphonies are such monumental edifices, it is a pleasant surprise to find that the string quintet and string quartet, though not insubstantial works, are so fleet-footed and unacademic. Bruckner has found the appropriate voice for his solo string lines whilst avoiding the occasionally heavy tread of his symphonic writing.
In the quintet, Bruckner opts for a second viola, strengthening the mid-range (rather than the more flexible two-cello option favoured by Schubert) and the piece is the longer and more densely argued of his two chamber works. The quartet surprises by its more classical feel, harking back to- but never slavishly imitating- the quartets of Haydn.
The Fine Arts Quartet ( with Gil Sharon as the second viola in the quintet), give luscious and compelling performances of this all-to-rare repertoire. The recording is exemplary, and the CD can be warmly recommended to Brucknerians and chamber music enthusiasts alike.
Similarly, since the symphonies are such monumental edifices, it is a pleasant surprise to find that the string quintet and string quartet, though not insubstantial works, are so fleet-footed and unacademic. Bruckner has found the appropriate voice for his solo string lines whilst avoiding the occasionally heavy tread of his symphonic writing.
In the quintet, Bruckner opts for a second viola, strengthening the mid-range (rather than the more flexible two-cello option favoured by Schubert) and the piece is the longer and more densely argued of his two chamber works. The quartet surprises by its more classical feel, harking back to- but never slavishly imitating- the quartets of Haydn.
The Fine Arts Quartet ( with Gil Sharon as the second viola in the quintet), give luscious and compelling performances of this all-to-rare repertoire. The recording is exemplary, and the CD can be warmly recommended to Brucknerians and chamber music enthusiasts alike.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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1 review
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Bonus Bargain Bruckner...
25 Dec 2008
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
.
Bonus Bruckner...
.
Bruckner's rare c-minor Quartet was discovered in a lost notebook after WWII.
It was written in 1862 during a time of artistic maturation for Bruckner.
Doubtless it is a study work, but it exhibits Bruckner's meticulous craftsmanship--for in his personal integrity Bruckner ever determined to create fine work within its boundaries.
Withal, this is quite a nice string quartet: tidy, with echoes of early-Beethoven, also perhaps exhibiting parallels with the contemporaneous Franz Lachner.
The Quartet's form is perfect in its way, illustrating proficient string writing and good development of thematic material.
One would need a microscope, however, to detect in this piece hints of Bruckner's later greatness.
The Fine Arts Quartet here [24'09"] gives the work a bit more breathing-room than the Leipziger Streichquartett [21'13"].
.
Likewise, the FAQ gives a grandly inspired treatment to Bruckner's great F-major Quintet--(something akin to Thielemann's recent treatment of the Symphony No. 5).
In this case, while comfortably expanding the space-time scale, the FAQ recognizes the episodic periodization, following Bruckner's architectonic plan to a tittle.
Needless to say this is an important consideration, as Bruckner's Quintet--(falling chronologically between his Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6)--is not merely one of the most distinguished compositions in his oeuvre, but moreover the Quintet is one of the greatest chamber works of the later-19th Century.
It's simply a superb work in terms of form and content, on par with late-Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms.
The string writing is extremely assured: this is what we look for in small ensemble string media (trios, quartets, quintets).
Bruckner's advanced harmonic treatment is akin to Schubert's, but utterly original and individualistic.
(Bruckner knew Schubert's art via the latter's lieder and klavierstücke.)
The heart of the Quintet is of course the great Adagio, comparable perhaps to the Adagio of his Symphony No. 7.
The majestic vista of his vision here combined with the subjective depth of human affection recall the Adagio "Heiliger Dankgesang" of Beethoven's late a-minor Quartet, while anticipating the expansive Largo "Gebet mit dem leben Gott" of Reger's chef d'oeuvre--the Sextet.
.
Recordings of Bruckner's Quintet are now thankfully plentiful; but for price, sound, and performance, Naxos' issue here is definitely a bargain.
Disc also includes substitute Intermezzo for the Quintet, and substitute Rondo for the finale of the Quartet: nice.
.
Bruckner (Master Musicians)
.
Anton Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 - Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic
Anton Bruckner: Symphonie Nr. 7
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 (Arranged for Chamber Ensemble)
Symphonies 1-9 (Box)
.
Bruckner: String Quintet F major/String Quartet C minor
Bruckner: String Quintet; Intermezzo; Strauss: Prelude to Capriccio
.
Lachner: String Quartets Op. 169 & Op. 173
Lachner: String Quartets, Vol. 2
.
Max Reger: String Sextet in F
.
Bonus Bruckner...
.
Bruckner's rare c-minor Quartet was discovered in a lost notebook after WWII.
It was written in 1862 during a time of artistic maturation for Bruckner.
Doubtless it is a study work, but it exhibits Bruckner's meticulous craftsmanship--for in his personal integrity Bruckner ever determined to create fine work within its boundaries.
Withal, this is quite a nice string quartet: tidy, with echoes of early-Beethoven, also perhaps exhibiting parallels with the contemporaneous Franz Lachner.
The Quartet's form is perfect in its way, illustrating proficient string writing and good development of thematic material.
One would need a microscope, however, to detect in this piece hints of Bruckner's later greatness.
The Fine Arts Quartet here [24'09"] gives the work a bit more breathing-room than the Leipziger Streichquartett [21'13"].
.
Likewise, the FAQ gives a grandly inspired treatment to Bruckner's great F-major Quintet--(something akin to Thielemann's recent treatment of the Symphony No. 5).
In this case, while comfortably expanding the space-time scale, the FAQ recognizes the episodic periodization, following Bruckner's architectonic plan to a tittle.
Needless to say this is an important consideration, as Bruckner's Quintet--(falling chronologically between his Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6)--is not merely one of the most distinguished compositions in his oeuvre, but moreover the Quintet is one of the greatest chamber works of the later-19th Century.
It's simply a superb work in terms of form and content, on par with late-Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms.
The string writing is extremely assured: this is what we look for in small ensemble string media (trios, quartets, quintets).
Bruckner's advanced harmonic treatment is akin to Schubert's, but utterly original and individualistic.
(Bruckner knew Schubert's art via the latter's lieder and klavierstücke.)
The heart of the Quintet is of course the great Adagio, comparable perhaps to the Adagio of his Symphony No. 7.
The majestic vista of his vision here combined with the subjective depth of human affection recall the Adagio "Heiliger Dankgesang" of Beethoven's late a-minor Quartet, while anticipating the expansive Largo "Gebet mit dem leben Gott" of Reger's chef d'oeuvre--the Sextet.
.
Recordings of Bruckner's Quintet are now thankfully plentiful; but for price, sound, and performance, Naxos' issue here is definitely a bargain.
Disc also includes substitute Intermezzo for the Quintet, and substitute Rondo for the finale of the Quartet: nice.
.
Bruckner (Master Musicians)
.
Anton Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 - Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic
Anton Bruckner: Symphonie Nr. 7
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 (Arranged for Chamber Ensemble)
Symphonies 1-9 (Box)
.
Bruckner: String Quintet F major/String Quartet C minor
Bruckner: String Quintet; Intermezzo; Strauss: Prelude to Capriccio
.
Lachner: String Quartets Op. 169 & Op. 173
Lachner: String Quartets, Vol. 2
.
Max Reger: String Sextet in F
.
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