Hans Huber - Piano Quintets Nos. 1 & 2 (Oliver Triendl; Carmina Quartet)

Information

Composer: Hans Huber

• Piano Quintet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 111
• Piano Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 125

Oliver Triendl, piano

Carmina Quartet

    Matthias Enderle, violin

    Agata Lazarczyk, violin

    Wendy Champney, viola

    Chiara Enderle Samatanga, cello

Date: 2024

Label: CPO

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Review

Swiss composer Hans Huber (1852-1921) – whose output included five operas, eight symphonies (recorded two decades and more ago by Sterling; 8/02 for Nos 1 and 7), and several concertos – first appeared in these pages in July 1939 as an answer to a quiz. As with the music of his older compatriot Joachim Raff, Huber’s fell out of favour after his death and has rather remained there, despite a good variety of recordings of his chamber and instrumental pieces on a smattering of different labels.

Huber’s two piano quintets are expansive and expressive works built on the models of Schumann and Brahms. The First (1893) is very well made, the opening Allegro (after a slow introduction) very contrapuntal in nature, with elements of sonata form, followed by a sparkling Allegrissimo scherzo that builds from its first few bars. This is the movement that impresses most immediately, although the heart of the work is the variation-form Adagio which, in hindsight, is finest of all. The finale seems rather over-complicated by comparison but dutifully rounds out proceedings, and one can but admire the compositional ingenuity involved. Nonetheless, the First is a work that repays repeated hearings, especially in this lively performance from Triendl and the Carmina Quartet, and their lightness of touch is key in ensuring the music avoids sounding stodgy.

The same qualities carry over into the Second (1907), more relaxed in both mood and design, incorporating folk elements in a light-hearted manner, which may explain the subtitle, Divertimento. Huber’s less conventional approach is apparent from the outset, and there is a pleasing playfulness to the invention throughout the opening Quasi fantasia that carries over into the variations of the second movement, more unpredictable, excitable even, than that of the First Quintet. The brief Intermezzo reworks a Swiss folk tune intended as a little joke for its first audience – reportedly hitting the mark. The finale (Rhapsodie) is as much medley as rhapsody but in tone aligns very nicely with the remainder of the work. Pianist and quartet are in impeccable harmony and unity in this delightful performance. While this is not great chamber music, it is very enjoyable, and with CPO’s superb sound is worth exploring.

— Guy Rickards

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Hans Huber (28 June 1852 – 25 December 1921) was a Swiss composer. Born in Eppenberg-Wöschnau, Canton of Solothurn, he studied at the Leipzig Conservatory under Carl Reinecke and later taught in Alsace before moving to Basel in 1877. Though initially denied a position at the Basel Conservatory, he eventually joined in 1889 and became its Director by 1896. Huber composed eight symphonies, concertos for violin, cello, and piano, nine violin sonatas, and five cello sonatas. He also wrote five operas, and a collection of 24 Preludes and Fugues for piano four-hands, covering all major and minor keys.

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Oliver Triendl (born 1970 in Mallersdorf, Bavaria) is a German pianist. Trained by distinguished teachers including Gerhard Oppitz and Oleg Maisenberg, he is a prizewinner of numerous international competitions. Triendl has performed globally as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing with leading orchestras such as the Munich Philharmonic, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg and Shanghai Symphony. His unique repertoire includes around 90 piano concertos and hundreds of chamber works, many of which he has premiered or recorded first. His tireless commitment is reflected in more than 100 CD recordings.

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Founded in Switzerland in 1984, the Carmina Quartet has enjoyed a distinguished career, with early success at international competitions and mentorship from figures like Sandor Végh and Nikolaus Harnoncourt. They have performed in prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, the Sydney Opera House and Suntory Hall. The quartet has released over 30 acclaimed recordings, earning honors such as the Gramophone Award, Diapason d'Or and a Grammy nomination. They frequently collaborate with prominent musicians, including Sabine Meyer, Teo Gheorghiu and Thomas Grossenbacher.

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