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Six Italians and one Frenchman: a consummate realisation of
Saint-Saëns' multifaceted musical idiom.
For its latest CD featuring works by Camille Saint-Saëns, the
award-winning Quartetto di Cremona draws on sixteen years
of giving concerts and making recordings. Leading Italian pianist
Andrea Lucchesini joins the ensemble for the Piano Quintet: the
third movement of the work is presented here in the rare version
adding a double bass (ad lib.).
These two chamber music works of the French composer
represent crucial stages in his oeuvre: the Piano Quintet, a work
of early perfection, demonstrates Saint-Saëns' engagement with
German Romanticism, particularly with Robert Schumann and his
formal idiom. The String Quartet, marking the transition into his
late style, represents the first chamber piece in which Saint-Saëns
leaves out his own instrument, the piano. Here, his version of the
classical style – clear forms and a colourful expressive spectrum –
becomes especially clear. Brilliance and an unerring sense of form;
calm, melancholy resting and energetic gestures;
romantic vocal qualities and exquisite compositional
art – the contrasts characterising Saint-Saëns' musical
idiom are perfectly realised by the Quartetto di
Cremona.
Camille Saint-Saëns: Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op. 14
I. Allegro moderato e maestoso
II. Andante sostenuto
III. Presto
IV. Allegro assai, ma non tranquillo
Camille Saint-Saëns: String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 112
I. Allegro
II. Molto allegro quasi presto
III. Molto adagio
IV. Allegro non troppo |
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