César Franck; Claude Debussy - Piano Quintet; String Quartet (Marc-André Hamelin; Takács Quartet)

Information

Composer: César Franck; Claude Debussy

• Franck - Piano Quintet in F minor, M. 7
• Debussy - String Quartet in G minor, L. 91

Marc-André Hamelin, piano

Takács Quartet

    Edward Dusinberre, violin

    Károly Schranz, violin

    Geraldine Walther, viola

    András Fejér, cello

Date: 2016

Label: Hyperion

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Review

When the seasoned artistry of the Takács Quartet blends with the thoughtful brilliance of Marc-André Hamelin, a rare alchemy occurs. Their fruitful collaboration on record goes back to a 2009 Schumann Quintet (11/09), with a Shostakovich Quintet released last year (5/15). Their new recording of Franck’s Piano Quintet, one of the glories of the 19th-century French chamber repertory, stands comparison with some of the best, including Curzon/Vienna Philharmonic, Richter/Borodin and Cortot/International (formerly EMI).

The Quartet casts down the gauntlet with an implacably assertive opening statement in the Franck, setting the stage for an Orpheus-and-the-Furies-style dialogue with the piano. It’s a compelling approach to a movement that, on occasion, can become an uncertain, diffuse prologue to the main event of the Lento and Allegro non troppo. But what begins as a dialogue between strings and piano soon becomes a discourse among five musicians, urgently argued with lacerating intensity. The cohesion brought to this emotional caldron, one feels, could only be the result of complete unity of purpose shared by five musical minds.

Embarking on the slow movement brings almost visceral relief, even knowing that the lyric narrative about to unfold is one of the saddest in the literature. Delicacy and finesse produce colours and textures as vividly beautiful as they are emotionally impactful. But as much as we might like to linger in this sensual melancholy, in less than no time we’re swept up on to the magic-carpet ride of the finale, where kinetic exhilaration fuels the kaleidoscopic flight over varied terrain. I’m not sure I’ve had another experience of this work that imparts its affective essence so authentically while keeping its architectural ingenuity and grace always in view.

To Debussy’s luminous and under-appreciated String Quartet of 1893 the Takács bring all their intelligence, skill, taste and virtuosity. While every measure of this performance affords pleasure, the pizzicato shower of the scherzo and the touching tenderness of the Andantino are special treats. Very highly recommended.

— Patrick Rucker

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César Franck (10 December 1822 – 8 November 1890) was a composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher who worked in Paris during his adult life. As an organist he was particularly noted for his skill in improvisation. Franck is considered by many the greatest composer of organ music after Bach. Franck exerted a significant influence on music. He helped to renew and reinvigorate chamber music and developed the use of cyclic form. He became professor at the Paris Conservatoire in 1872, his pupils included Vincent d'Indy, Ernest Chausson, Louis Vierne, Charles Tournemire, Guillaume Lekeu and Henri Duparc.

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Claude Debussy (22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer who was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His orchestral works include Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (1894), Nocturnes (1897–1899), Images (1905–1912), and La mer (1903–1905). His piano works include sets of 24 Préludes and 12 Études. Throughout his career Debussy also wrote mélodies based on a wide variety of poetry, including his own. His works have strongly influenced a wide range of composers including Béla Bartók, Olivier Messiaen, George Benjamin, and the jazz musician Bill Evans.

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Marc-André Hamelin (born 5 September 1961 in Montreal) is a distinguished Canadian pianist and composer renowned for his exceptional technique and distinctive interpretations of the classical repertoire. Internationally acclaimed, he has earned 11 Grammy Award nominations and has recorded extensively with the Hyperion label. Hamelin is particularly noted for his commitment to exploring and performing works by lesser-known composers, especially from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as pieces by pianist-composers. He has composed several works himself, including a set of piano études in all the minor keys.

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The Takács Quartet was formed in 1975 at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest by Gabor Takács-Nagy, Károly Schranz, Gabor Ormai and András Fejér. Current members include Edward Dusinberre, Harumi Rhodes (violins), Richard O’Neill (viola) and András Fejér (cello). All members are Christoffersen Fellows and Artists in Residence at the University of Colorado, Boulder. For their CDs on Hyperion and Decca labels, the Quartet has won four Gramophone Awards, a Grammy Award, three Japanese Record Academy Awards, Disc of the Year at the BBC Music Magazine Awards, and Presto Music Recording of the Year Award.

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