Mozart: The Two Piano Quartets K478, K493

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

“Mozart’s piano quartets, sharply contrasted, are among the finest of his chamber works, with K478 bringing depths that G minor always seems to draw from him. This new performance … has a better, more just balance, so that sparkling piano is a constant delight … partnered by an exceptionally strong trio of string players … lighter and faster than rivals, yet dazzlingly clear… The E flat K493 … more orchestral texture, but again this performance is lighter and the slow movement more tenderly expressive. In the finale too the Nash play with extra sparkle, with rhythms jauntily sprung … far more charming than … rivals, and the rapid triplet figuration is a delight to the ear … this new offering stands among the finest.”(Gramophone)

Piano Quartet in G minor, K478 (1785)
[1] I: Allegro 14:24
[2] II: Andante 6:57
[3] III: Rondo: Allegro moderato 7:45
Piano Quartet in E flat, K493 (I786)
[4] I: Allegro 15:20
[5] Il: Larghetto 13:22
[6] III: Allegretto 8:51

Dvořák String Sextet Op.48, String Quintet Op.77

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

“enjoyable Dvořák coupling worthy of joining the list of recommendations”
“The Sextet, one of Dvořák’s finest chamber works, makes an excellent pairing with the double-bass Quintet … a striking contrast to the Sextet’s expansive richness. The Nash Ensemble are well recorded and play with refined expression while attacking the brilliant, quasi-orchestral music in the two finales with force and spirit. I particularly enjoyed the smiling, sunlit atmosphere in the Sextet’s first movement; and there’s beautiful playing, too, in the Quintet’s Andante and Intermezzo.” (Gramophone)

String Sextet in A (two violins, two violas & two cellos, B80, Op.48(1878)
[1] I: Allegro moderato 14:12
[2] II: Dumka (Elegie): Poco Allegretto 7:06
[3] III: Furiant: Presto 4:11
[4] IV: Finale: Tema con Variazioni 7:50
String Quintet in G for two violins, viola, cello & double bass,
B49 Op.77 (1875)
[5] I: Allegro con fuoco 10:58
[6] II: Scherzo: Allegro vivace 7:43
[7] III: Poco andante 7:52
[8] IV: Finale: Allegro assai 7:04
[9] Intermezzo in B for two violins, viola, cello & double bass,
B49 (1875) 4:34

The Nash Ensemble – Alto CD

Mozart: The Two Piano Quartets K478, K493

Dvořák String Sextet Op.48, String Quintet Op.77