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Nikolay Rimsky​-​Korsakov: Quintet for Piano and Winds, String Sextet

by Prague Wind Quintet, Kocian Quartet, Josef Klusoň, Michal Kaňka, Ivan Klánský

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1.
Quintet in B Flat Major for piano, flute, clarinet, horn and bassoon : I. Allegro con brio 10:36
2.
Quintet in B Flat Major for piano, flute, clarinet, horn and bassoon : II. Andante - Fughetta. Poco più mosso 08:58
3.
Quintet in B Flat Major for piano, flute, clarinet, horn and bassoon : III. Rondo. Allegretto [vivace] 08:54
4.
String sextet in A Major : I. Allegro vivace 06:42
5.
String sextet in A Major : II. Rondo fugato 04:50
6.
String sextet in A Major : III. Scherzo. Vivace alla saltarello 05:53
7.
String sextet in A Major : IV. Andante espressivo 09:02
8.
String sextet in A Major : V. Finale. Allegro molto 06:20

about

The Sextet - or rather the double string trio - was written during the summer of 1876 while Rimsky-Korsakov was staying in Kabolowska. Straightaway, the Allegro vivace sets a spring-like mood under the impetus of the two cellos and the dance figures of the responses of the violins and violas. This is followed by a three-part double fugue on B.A.C.H., rondo fugato of strict contrapuntal organisation. The central Scherzo, in the form of saltarello, is less dry and dogmatic. The Russian perfumes clearly get the upper hand over rhetoric in the Andante espressivo, spurred on by the first cello in its nostalgic cantilena. The Finale lets the emotion felt in the espressivo fade away with a prolixity of notes in virtuoso neo-Tchaikovskian ‘abundance’. In his Chronicle, the composer provided the following analyses of his Quintet: “The opening Allegro con brio is still in the classic Beethoven style; the second movement, Andante, contains a rather successful fugato in the winds, accompanied by a free piano part; the third movement, Allegretto vivace, in rondo form, contains an interesting passage, the preparation of the first theme, after the central part: in turn, the flute, horn and clarinet, perform the role of virtuoso cadenzas, interrupted each theme by the bassoon, in octave leaps; after the piano cadenza on these same bassoon leaps, the first theme finally makes its entry…” The seeming spontaneity, brilliant dynamism, Oriental, Polovtsian reminiscences, explain the popularity of this score written by the Scheherazade author.

Awards: Choc by Le Monde de la Musique, Recommended by Classica, 5 by Diapason

“The Quintet is one of Rimsky’s most interesting chamber works: heir to those of Mozart and Beethoven, it differentiates itself by the generosity of its melodic imagination, with its intentionally oriental accents, and rhythmic dynamism… It is ideally rendered by the vigour of the timbres of the Prague Wind Quintet, which is echoed by Ivan Klánský’s bright, colourful and articulate playing. The rare Sextet is carried along by the splendour of the Kocian Quartet’s timbres, reinforced by two members of the Pražák… For the logic and originality of the pairing and the quality of the interpretation, this disc is warmly recommended.” (Diapason, July 2003)

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250188

credits

released January 1, 2003

Prague Wind Quintet (Ensemble)
Kocian Quartet (Ensemble)
Josef Klusoň (Viola)
Michal Kaňka (Cello)
Ivan Klánský (Piano)

Recorded in Domovina Studio, Prague, January 20, 22, 2002 (Quintet), January 31, 2003 (Sextet)

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