Dvorak Piano Quartets/Quintets

[reinerfan]

This probably won't be a terribly popular suggestion, but if you want the Rolls-Royce with cream on top...

The Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm (mdg gold) disc of the Leipzig Quartet with Christian Zacharias, which has the Op.81 Piano Quintet c/w the Op. 97 String Quintet, is almost unsurpassably lovely, both musically and sonically. You simply won't hear a better chamber-music recording. (mdg 307 1249-2).

The DG Original Masters box of the Janacek Quartet's gorgeously slav and lovable recordings includes 5 Dvorak String Quartets (opp. 34, 51, 96 & 105) and another great Op.81., along with highly individual, characterful performances of Janacek, Smetana, Brahms and Beethoven etc. Highly recommended - the "American" is especially swinging!
(474 010-2)

Jayne, I am grateful for your recommendation of the MDG disc which I have now bought and auditioned. Although I think that I just prefer my Czech performances, the combination of superb performances with with such an excellent recording takes some beating.

[Barbirollians]

Rather amazed the piano quartets have passed me by. I now have a very cheap secondhand copy of the Domus recording on Hyperion. Unsurprisingly, considering their Faure’s quartets disc , it is wonderful.

[gurnemanz]

I got to know these works via the Ames Piano Quartet disc of the Quartets in the Brilliant Classics Dvorak Chamber box referred to above, still available as such or as a part of a collection on the Dorian label, where they originally appeared. Piano quartets existing as an entity and playing together as such are something of a rarity and the recordings are characterised by a lovely internal balance and mutual understanding. I have never felt the need to acquire other versions of these works.

[BBMmk2]

I have the Piano Quartets by the Goldners and Piers Lane. Wonderful recording.

[Nick Armstrong]

OT strictly-speaking, but I’ve been greatly enjoying the piano trios in each of this week’s lunchtime concerts, with Boris Giltburg & friends.

If anything, I prefer them to the piano quartets & quintets…

[BBMmk2]

OT strictly-speaking, but I’ve been greatly enjoying the piano trios in each of this week’s lunchtime concerts, with Boris Giltburg & friends.

If anything, I prefer them to the piano quartets & quintets…

Now, that’s saying something!