Dvorak: String Quintet op. 97; Piano Quintet op. 81

Masurenko, Tatjana, Triendl, Oliver, Vogler Quartett

CPO 555022

Following our successful edition featuring Antonín Dvořák's complete string quartets, the Vogler Quartet turns to more chamber music by this composer. During the course of his life Dvořák penned more than forty works of this genre. Even if his fourteen string quartets dominate here, he made contributions to almost every traditional ensemble form – a feat matched only by Brahms during that period. The London premiere of the Piano Quintet op. 81 marked his international breakthrough. The first movement of this quintet ranks with the most significant sonata movements composed subsequent to Beethoven. Dvořák's initial compositional achievement documenting his occupation with the songs and dances of Native Americans and African Americans – even today his most famous such effort – is his last symphony, the New World Symphony. It was followed by two chamber compositions: first by the String Quartet in F major (the »American Quartet«) and later by the String Quintet in E flat major recorded here. While the quartet numbers among Dvořák's most popular works, the quintet – also because of its form – is largely unknown. The composer himself termed these two compositions his »best and most original« works.

CD x 1

CPO

8/24/16

761203502226