Brahms Schumann Hollywood String Quartet - Piano Quartets 13 (24 tracks) +Album Reviews

Search - Brahms, Schumann, Hollywood String Quartet :: Piano Quartets 1-3

Brahms, Schumann, Hollywood String Quartet
Piano Quartets 1-3
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (8) - Disc #1
1. Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor, OP.25: Allegro
2. Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor, OP.25: Intermezzo
3. Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor, OP.25: Andante con moto- Animoto
4. Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor, OP.25: Rondo alla Zingarese
5. String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op.51 No. 2: Allegro non troppo
6. String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op.51 No. 2: Andante
7. String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op.51 No. 2: Quasi Menuetto, Moderato- Allegro Vivace
8. String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op.51 No. 2: Finale
Track Listings (8) - Disc #2
1. Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 26: Allegro non Troppo
2. Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 26: Poco adagio
3. Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 26: Scherzo (Poco allegro) -Trio
4. Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 26: Finale
5. Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 44: Allegro brillante
6. Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 44: In modo d'una marcia (Un poco largamente) - Agitato
7. Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 44: Scherzo (Molto vivace) & Trios I & II
8. Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 44: Finale (Allegro ma non troppo)
Track Listings (8) - Disc #3
1. Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60: Allegro non Troppo
2. Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60: Scherzo (Allegro)
3. Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60: Andante
4. Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60: Finale
5. Piano Quintet In F Minor, Op. 34: Allegro non troppo
6. Piano Quintet In F Minor, Op. 34: Andante, un poco adagio
7. Piano Quintet In F Minor, Op. 34: Scherzo (Allegro)- Trio
8. Piano Quintet In F Minor, Op. 34: Finale (Poco sostenuto-Allegro non troppo- Presto non troppo)

CD Details

All Artists: Brahms, Schumann, Hollywood String Quartet
Title: Piano Quartets 1-3
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Testament UK
Release Date: 3/11/1996
Album Type: Import
Genre: Classical
Style: Chamber Music
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaCD Credits: 3
UPC: 749677306328

Synopsis

Amazon.com

To many critics and chamber music devotees, the products of the brief recording career of the Hollywood String Quartet (less than a decade) are something close to sacred icons. The quality of this ensemble's playing was so concentrated and intense that it disarms most criticism. Victor Aller, who plays in all but one of these works, was the brother of the HSQ's cellist and worked extremely well with them. That said, one can still feel that music of the Romantic era wasn't these musicians' best area. As fine as these performances are, they are still a bit strait-laced and unbending--except for the first movement of the Schumann, moments which Aller bends almost out of shape. The mono sound poses no problems. --Leslie Gerber

CD Reviews

Perfection

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 08/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I disagree with Leslie Gerber's notion that these performances are a bit straitlaced. I find them energetic and energizing. But then I'm among those who think the Hollywood String Quartet almost did no wrong."

Straight-laced? i think not

01/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Allow me to also object to the notion that these are "straight-laced" performances and somehow inappropriate to the nature of this music. To my ears, nothing could be further from the truth. The concentrated dynamics in the opening of Piano Quartet No. 1 just about made me jump out of my seat, and the version of String Quartet No. 2 is probably the most red-blooded reading I've heard. Throughout the three discs, one has the feeling that the players are hanging on every note--something we hear too seldom in Brahms, IMHO. This is, for me, one of those sets you'd like to have along if you ever got stranded on a desert island. I heartily recommend it to all admirers of Brahms and fans of the Hollywood Quartet."

Sacred Icons? No, Just GREAT Music Making!

Jeffrey Lipscomb | Sacramento, CA United States | 05/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leslie Gerber is one of my favorite music critics - he is an especially astute judge of piano recordings. His "The Record Collector" that was once a regular feature of "Fanfare" is sorely missed!But I have to differ with Mr. Gerber here. I know what he means about Aller "almost" bending some of the Schumann Piano Quintet out of shape in this recording. "Almost," but not quite - to my ears, this is a wonderful exercise in brinkmanship of the sort that makes so many of Furtwangler's performances so thrilling. The Brahms Piano Quartets here constitute the finest complete set ever recorded: what fire and commitment are on display here! This Brahms 2nd String Quartet is simply haunting - I always hate to see it end. I also cherish older recordings of several items here by Rudolph Serkin and the Busch Quartet - but these Hollywood readings would probably be my first choice if forced to choose between them.But I surely do agree with Mr. Gerber on one point: the mono sound here poses no problems. An indispensable set!!!"