Search - Sergey Taneyev, Mikhail Pletnev :: Taneyev: Chamber Music

Taneyev's piano quintet is a towering masterpiece that is in

Jamie S. Weiner | Painted Post, NY | 10/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As an aficionado of chamber music, I thought I was familiar with all the great piano quintets. I had heard that Taneyev's contribution to the genre was a massive work and this was confirmed by my perusal of the score (which was the direct impetus for the purchase of this recording). Well, it's been a very long time since I was absolutely bowled over and mesmerized by a piece of music, but this quintet is truly a stunning masterpiece from the somber opening to the jubilant conclusion, and certainly deserves to be played along with those of Schumann, Brahms, and especially Dvorák. In my opinion, it's the greatest work of chamber music ever composed by a Russian, making it incomprehensible to me that Taneyev's music has been so neglected.



The first movement is a turbulent piece in sonata form with a sweetly tender second subject (in the unorthodox key of A flat major) which contains two very expressive and poignant features: a rising seventh in its second bar and a Neapolitan sixth in its penultimate bar. What's even more unusual about this melody (and something I realized only after multiple hearings) is that its first six notes are an inversion of the first theme's initial six notes! Pay special attention to this melody as it will return at the very end of the work in a most grandiose and spectacular fashion. The second movement is a deft almost Mendelssohnian scherzo in E flat major with a beautiful trio that returns in the da capo in combination with the scherzo theme (Taneyev was a master of counterpoint and even wrote a book about it). In this da capo section, a slight deviation from the score occurs in the third and fourth bars after figure 144 (on page 60 of the score), where the triple-stopped cello chords are played arco instead of pizzicato. The slow movement is based entirely on a descending C major scale above which is placed a most beautiful melody. It's almost like a passacaglia with a ground bass that is repeated 40 times accompanying music of haunting beauty. The finale is another stormy movement which ultimately leads to a reprise of the second subject of the first movement in an ecstatic peroration. Once heard, you will never forget the way that initially tender and unassuming lyrical melody is transformed into a rapturous G major paean of triumph. That rising seventh I mentioned earlier lends this melody a particularly blissful quality, especially noticeable when the first violin and the cello soar to stratospheric heights in the coda while playing at the upper limits of their registers. This coda is extraordinarily beautiful and ends the quintet in a tremendous outpouring of sound unlike that in any other chamber work I know. In the final seven bars, as indicated in the score ("quasi campane"), the piano actually imitates the pealing of bells!



Coming immediately after the joyous conclusion of the quintet, the trio is a bit anticlimactic, but it is still a beautiful masterwork that doesn't deserve its neglect. My favorite movement is the ferocious scherzo. It is easily the equal of any of the standard piano trios that are played over and over again. The score of the quintet is available free of charge from IMSLP (sorry, but amazon won't let me post the URL--just search for the work under Taneyev). The performance of Mikhail Pletnev et al is blazing in intensity and flawless in execution. Not surprisingly, this CD has been named chamber music recording of the year by Gramophone Magazine. If you have any appreciation for chamber music (and especially if you don't), you owe it to yourself for the sake of your soul to purchase this recording, so click that "buy now" button right away."

SLOW TO GRASP

GEORGE RANNIE | DENVER, COLORADO United States | 10/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being an extreme fan of Chamber Music, I purchased this recording of Taneyev's Piano Quintet and Trio. The music is late Russian Romantic music which I love. Upon my first three exposures to this album I really didn't appreciate Taneyev's music-it`s my first exposure to same. When finally I had some very private time to myself and I could sit down and REALLY listen to the album, the music on the album really GRABED me. The music on this album does not yield its riches easily; however, once it does, WOW! Taneyev's music is rather dense and very contrapuntal with its melodies, at first, rather hidden and, to me, hard to decipher. Once I took the time to intently listen I was able to grasp what Taneyev was trying to "say" with his music.

I was really moved by these works and by this recording. Mikhail Pletnev, at piano, leads a marvelous group of musicians (including Lynn Harrell on cello) that are capable of bring these wonderful compositions to life especially when one takes the time to really listen to them.

DGG is up to their very high standards in this recording providing wonderful warm sound

So if you enjoy Romantic Chamber Music, as I do, buy this disc. Be sure, however, to sit down, in your quiet space, and LISTEN to it intently---Taneyev's music deserves a really GOOD listening to. Believe me, it is worth the effort.

(Word of warning: the furocious 1st and 4th moments of the quintet, as played by Mikhail Pletnev and this group, really knocked my shoes and socks off--not to mention other articles of clothing!The second movement of the "Trio" also dispensed with articles of my clothing--as played in this recording, it's very exciting!)

"

Ace Recording, Topnotch Music--not to be missed or replaced

Aronne | 11/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Taneyev's music is highly individual, and this album is a wonderful demonstration of this. Some have referred to him as a sort of Romantic Bach on account of his use of counterpoint. I came across this album in my library system. At first, I did not respond to it; but then again, I did not truly listen. But after listening to the first movement of the Quintet, I knew this was a keeper, so I purchased it through a music club.



The disc is exceptionally well filled, over 82 minutes in all! If you like chamber music, you should buy this. If you do not like chamber music, you must buy this. I didn't think myself much of a chamber music fan before I got this recording. The artists do fabulously in this repertoire; I do not imagine this account being outdone any time soon. The DG recording serves them well, very well. The Quintet is my favorite work, all four movements being quite amazing. Deserving of anyone's attention."