Arensky, Anton / String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2, Piano Quintet (Ying Quartet)
| Album: | String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2, Piano Quintet (Ying Quartet) | Collection: | Classical | |
| Artist: | Arensky, Anton | Added: | Oct 2012 | |
| Label: | Sono Luminus | |||
A-File Activity
| Add Date: | 2012-11-04 | Pull Date: | 2013-01-06 | Charts: | Classical/Experimental |
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Album Review
Larry
Reviewed 2012-10-28
Reviewed 2012-10-28
Arensky, Anton / String Quartets No. 1 & 2, Piano Quintet (Ying Quartet)
Anton Arensky (1861-1906) was a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov and a teacher of Rachmaninoff and Scriabin. He and Tchaikovsky were friends and colleagues, and the 2nd mvmt of Arensky’s String Quartet No. 2, composed in Tchaikovsky’s memory, contains a set of variations on a Tchaikovsky theme. The grand Russian theme used in the Finale of the Second Quartet was also used by Beethoven and Mussorgsky. The Finale of the First Quartet contains a Russian theme with variations and includes virtuosic quartet textures. The Piano Quintet is full-blooded, passionate, singing music. The 2nd mvmt is a deeply expressive theme and variation set. Arensky captures Romantic era songs of the heart and explorations of beautiful instrumental tonal textures and effects.
1. String Quartet No. 1 in G major, Op. 11 - I. Allegro (7:44). Exuberant 1st theme, gentle, lilting 2nd theme.
2. Op. 11 - II. Andante sostenuto (5:19). Sentimental song.
3. Op. 11 - III. Menuetto: Allegretto (3:10). Elegant, light-hearted, simple minuet.
4. Op. 11 - IV. Finale: Allegro non troppo (4:41). Exciting with extraordinary effects in succeeding variations.
5. String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 35 - I. Moderato (11:07). Incorporates a Russian funeral chant. Somber.
6. Op. 35 - II. Theme: Moderato (1:10). Somber but lovely theme, like the hymn of the Volga boatmen.
7. Op. 35 - II. Variation 1: Un poco piu mosso (1:23). Deep, autumnal.
8. Op. 35 - II. Variation 2: Allegro non troppo (1:03). Early winter rainstorm.
9. Op. 35 - II. Variation 3: Andantino tranquillo (1:11). Spring begins.
10. Op. 35 - II. Variation 4: Vivace (1:27). Urgent.
11. Op. 35 - II. Variation 5: Andante (2:10). Venetian interlude.
12. Op. 35 - II. Variation 6: Allegro con spirit (1:14). Celebrate life.
13. Op. 35 - II. Variation 7: Andante con moto (1:22). Lazy summer afternoon.
14. Op. 35 - II. Coda: Moderato (1:48). Ethereal. A winding down.
15. Op. 35 - III. Finale: Andante sostenuto, Allegro moderato (4:45). Majestic, somber Russian theme: “The Coronation of the Tsar” with rousing finish.
16. Piano Quintet in D major, Op. 51 - I. Allegro moderato (7:34). Warm, triumphant opening, passionate middle and end.
17. Op. 51 - II. Variations: Andante, Tempo di valse, Allegro molto, Tempo I (7:18). Minor key, reflective, then grandiloquent; soul-searching middle, quiet end.
18. Op. 51 - III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace (8:47). Off and running in forest and field, with pause for a brunch and conversation.
19. Op. 51 - IV. Finale (Fuga): Allegro moderato (3:52). Kingly, serious pacing about, radiant finish.
Anton Arensky (1861-1906) was a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov and a teacher of Rachmaninoff and Scriabin. He and Tchaikovsky were friends and colleagues, and the 2nd mvmt of Arensky’s String Quartet No. 2, composed in Tchaikovsky’s memory, contains a set of variations on a Tchaikovsky theme. The grand Russian theme used in the Finale of the Second Quartet was also used by Beethoven and Mussorgsky. The Finale of the First Quartet contains a Russian theme with variations and includes virtuosic quartet textures. The Piano Quintet is full-blooded, passionate, singing music. The 2nd mvmt is a deeply expressive theme and variation set. Arensky captures Romantic era songs of the heart and explorations of beautiful instrumental tonal textures and effects.
1. String Quartet No. 1 in G major, Op. 11 - I. Allegro (7:44). Exuberant 1st theme, gentle, lilting 2nd theme.
2. Op. 11 - II. Andante sostenuto (5:19). Sentimental song.
3. Op. 11 - III. Menuetto: Allegretto (3:10). Elegant, light-hearted, simple minuet.
4. Op. 11 - IV. Finale: Allegro non troppo (4:41). Exciting with extraordinary effects in succeeding variations.
5. String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 35 - I. Moderato (11:07). Incorporates a Russian funeral chant. Somber.
6. Op. 35 - II. Theme: Moderato (1:10). Somber but lovely theme, like the hymn of the Volga boatmen.
7. Op. 35 - II. Variation 1: Un poco piu mosso (1:23). Deep, autumnal.
8. Op. 35 - II. Variation 2: Allegro non troppo (1:03). Early winter rainstorm.
9. Op. 35 - II. Variation 3: Andantino tranquillo (1:11). Spring begins.
10. Op. 35 - II. Variation 4: Vivace (1:27). Urgent.
11. Op. 35 - II. Variation 5: Andante (2:10). Venetian interlude.
12. Op. 35 - II. Variation 6: Allegro con spirit (1:14). Celebrate life.
13. Op. 35 - II. Variation 7: Andante con moto (1:22). Lazy summer afternoon.
14. Op. 35 - II. Coda: Moderato (1:48). Ethereal. A winding down.
15. Op. 35 - III. Finale: Andante sostenuto, Allegro moderato (4:45). Majestic, somber Russian theme: “The Coronation of the Tsar” with rousing finish.
16. Piano Quintet in D major, Op. 51 - I. Allegro moderato (7:34). Warm, triumphant opening, passionate middle and end.
17. Op. 51 - II. Variations: Andante, Tempo di valse, Allegro molto, Tempo I (7:18). Minor key, reflective, then grandiloquent; soul-searching middle, quiet end.
18. Op. 51 - III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace (8:47). Off and running in forest and field, with pause for a brunch and conversation.
19. Op. 51 - IV. Finale (Fuga): Allegro moderato (3:52). Kingly, serious pacing about, radiant finish.
Track Listing