Dora Pejačević - Piano Quartet; Piano Quintet; String Quartet (Quatuor Sine Nomine; Oliver Triendl)

Information

Composer: Dora Pejačević

• Piano Quintet in B minor, Op. 40
• String Quartet in C major, Op. 58
• Piano Quartet in D minor, Op. 25
• Impromptu, Op. 9 (arr. for piano quartet)

Oliver Triendl, piano

Quatuor Sine Nomine

    Patrick Genet, violin

    François Gottraux violin

    Hans Egidi, viola

    Marc Jaermann, cello

Date: 2012

Label: CPO

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Review

A first recording of Dora Pejačević's substantial Symphony in F sharp minor and her Phantasie Concertante for piano and orchestra was released in 2011 by CPO, the first of what is already on the way to becoming a substantial discography devoted to this highly deserving composer's works: CPO promise in fact to "dedicate a comprehensive edition to her."

 

As a Croat, Pejačević is fortunate to have her music promoted by the Croatian Music Information Centre, co-sponsors of this CD. The MIC has published some of her scores, as well as a detailed online biography in English, which includes poignant extracts from private correspondence, several short samples of her music and a presumably complete list of works, which sadly stops at op.58: Pejačević died in her prime from complications arising from the birth of her first child after marrying in her mid-thirties.

 

Another recent recording by CPO of Pejačević's Piano Trio op.29 and her Cello Sonata op.35, both featuring Swiss cellist Christian Poltéra, revealed her to be a composer of radiant, passionate, supremely lyrical works. Pejačević's ear for exquisite, complementary lines and her attention to detail are central to her undeniable originality.

 

Oliver Triendl was the fine pianist on that recording, and he provides the continuity for this second volume of chamber works, a recital that picks up precisely where the first left off. The two Quartets and especially the Quintet are all major works belonging in the repertoire - any admirer of the chamber music of Saint-Saëns, Brahms or Franck will be thrilled by them. Even the little Impromptu op.9b should be in every piano quartet's repertory as an encore piece - short, moving, instantly likeable and written by a teenage countess.

 

Though not brilliant - Switzerland-based recordings rarely seem to be - sound quality is good enough to satisfy most ears. The highly experienced Sine Nomine Quartet, celebrating thirty elegant years in the business, are prone to heavy breathing, but as they are in all other respects good value for money as always, it is relatively easy to forgive.

 

If there is one unanswerable criticism of this release, it is the fact that CPO have used two CDs to give the listener ninety minutes' worth of music - necessary and reasonable enough in itself, but thereupon doubling the retail price, leaving the consumer feeling decidedly overcharged. Postponing the Piano Quartet - or better still, the String Quartet - for a future release would have given a still-generous timing at half the price.

 

— Byzantion

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Dora Pejačević (10 September 1885 – 5 March 1923) was a Croatian composer, pianist and violinist recognized as a pioneer in modern Croatian music. She introduced the orchestral song to the national repertoire, and her Symphony in F-sharp minor is regarded as the first modern Croatian symphony. Her works, particularly vocal compositions, piano miniatures, and string quartets, reflect expressionist and modernist influences. Initially rooted in Romanticism, her style evolved after serving as a paramedic during World War I, incorporating themes of nihilism, death and war's futility. She died in 1923 from childbirth complications.

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Founded in 1975 in Lausanne, Quatuor Sine Nomine quickly established itself as one of Switzerland's leading young string quartets. Early competition successes in Evian and Reggio Emilia launched its international career, with performances at major venues across Europe and the United States. Influenced by prominent figures such as Rose Dumur Hemmerling, the Melos Quartet and Henri Dutilleux, the ensemble has continually refined its artistic identity. Its repertoire spans from Haydn to contemporary works, including premieres and rare compositions. The quartet maintains a rich discography and a biennial festival in Lausanne.

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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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