Argerich / Kremer / Bashmet / Maisky - Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 / Esoteric

“With ensembles made up of famous soloists, the first question that sometimes arises is: Have they been able to combine their undoubtedly strong individual ideas to form a coherent whole, or is everyone trying to impose their own ideas?

The musicians here are certainly far too professional to allow themselves anything other than a musically homogeneous performance, and Martha Argerich and Mischa Maisky in particular have already realized numerous projects together

– so they know each other well. This star-studded ensemble premiered Johannes Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland in 2001, and its great success prompted the performers to record it the

following year. And it is no exaggeration to say that it would have been a loss not to have captured this chamber music gem. The playing of the four musicians leaves nothing to be desired in terms of intensity, elegance of tone and confident

virtuosity, and when each of them repeatedly stands out with their own accents in the sound, this only enhances the expression and overall impression, for how boring would a completely homogenized mixture be that blurred individuality?

The art of ensemble playing thus achieves a brilliant, aggressive, and extroverted style that reaches its climax in the “Rondo alla Zingarese.”
(Matthias Reisner, Rondo, September 1, 2007)

“Robert Schumann's “Fantasy Pieces Op. 88” for violin, cello, and piano are interpreted by the star trio in a very lively manner, but also with extreme finesse and sensitivity in the crucial passages. The “Duet,” in which the violin and cello engage

in dialogue, embedded in restrained piano accompaniment, is one of the highlights of this recording. The entire CD is of the highest standard, which is not necessarily a given when you have such a collection of stars. However, these four first-class

soloists have managed to play with great concentration and precision, with wit but also with equal seriousness. Without resorting to showmanship, they have produced memorable interpretations.” (Rudolf Kamm, Amazon)

Esoteric's reissue of classical music masterpieces has attracted a great deal of attention worldwide. The uncompromising commitment to restoring and remastering the original tapes, as well as the use of Hybrid Super Audio CD technology to enhance

sound quality, makes all Esoteric releases a must-have for all lovers of classical music!

Limited edition Hybrid SACD. Japanese pressing.

Recorded at Teldex Studio, Berlin in February 2002

Piano: Martha Argerich
Violin: Gidon Kremer
Viola: Yuri Bashmet (1-4)
Violoncello: Mischa Maisky

We recommend the use of "L'Art du Son" CD/DVD conditioner for even more sonic improvement.

Title

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): “Piano Quartet No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25”

1.    Allegro
2.    Intermezzo (Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
3.    Andante Con Moto
4.    Rondo Alla Zingarese (Presto)

Robert Schumann (1810-1856): “Fantasiestücke, Op. 88”

5.    Romanze (Nicht schnell, mit innigem Ausdruck)
6.    Humoreske (Lebhaft)
7.    Duett (Langsam und mit Ausdruck)
8.    Finale (Im Marschtempo)