I have just discovered the very beautiful Le Flem Piano Quintet (very much in the Franckian tradition, but more advanced). Now, I know we've sort of been here before, but in asking friends for some further recommendations from this corner of the chamber music repertoire, perhaps I can ask you to restrict your suggestions to the period between 1890 (i.e. the death of Franck) and, say, 1920. So, what I have been missing out on from this period that's as good as the Le Flem? (And why?)
First and foremost, I recommend the Biarent quintet, a work full of driving passion and luscious melodies. Also, the harrowing Vierne quintet is another masterpiece of the genre. On a slightly less elevated plane are the Jongen piano quartet and Hure quintet, which are both epic works clearly in the Franckian tradition. Not Franckian, but utterly delightful is Reynaldo Hahn's sparkling quintet. On the more impressionistic side of the spectrum is Jean Cras' evocative quintet, which incorporates exotic influences into a highly compelling whole. French chamber music of this period is indeed a treasure trove of wonders!
Thanks, very helpful. I agree - it was quite a period.
Thank you LateRomantic75 for mentioning Jean Cras in this thread. I was intrigued by your reference to the exotic influences in his quintet. As I did not know this composer, I listened to sound bites on Jpc and also to several pieces on Youtube. He sounds very interesting and his music clearly reflects the influences of Debussy, Ravel and Fauré amongst others. May I ask you which quintet you were you referring to: the Quintet for Piano and Strings or the Quintet for Harp, Flute, Violin, Viola and Cello? Perhaps your comment could apply to both quintets?
Cheers
DennisS
I was referring to the Piano Quintet in my post, but I could have easily mentioned the flute and harp quintet in the same breath, as it also incorporates exotic modes (pentatonicism) and is highly suggestive of the sea (Cras was a naval officer). Besides his crystalline chamber music, I also highly recommend his atmospheric orchestral music as well as his luscious opera Polypheme, which is a compelling counterpart to Debussy's Pelleas. Though Cras' music reflects the impressionistic influences of Debussy and Ravel, I think an individual voice is often discernible.
Many thanks LateRomantic75 for your speedy reply. I have since ordered 2 CDs and eagerly await their reply.
My pleasure, Dennis! I'm sure you'll enjoy Cras' exquisite music :)
I apologize as I am slightly digressing. Being a fan of Cras , I would also suggest his piano music (on Timpani) and, mostly, the spirited Piano Concerto (elderly Cybelia recording).
As for Polypheme (mostly composed in a small military ship) it compensates some Pelleas-like somberness with some pages of a Daphnis-like radiance.
I know this thread is about chamber music but I would just like to say that, of the 2 CDs I ordered, one is the double CD on Timpani of Cras's orchestral music, which includes the Piano Concerto (the other is of course the Quintet)! Thank you Alberto and LateRomantic75 for confirming my opinion that Cras is not just skilled in writing chamber music only but is also a composer of wonderful orchestral music as well! I will be exploring more of his music in due course.
The Jean Hure piano quintet is very close in character to the Le Flem as is the chamber music of Max d'Ollone, which remained romantic-impressionist into the 1920s and beyond.
Don't forget Florent Schmitt's massive quintet. It's a masterpiece. I also very much like LeFlem's work. When my daughter was very young I used LeFlem's Piano Quintet to lull her to sleep.
From the same period, Pierné's quintet and (much more "intellectual") Koechlin's. I also recommend Gabriel Dupont's "Poème", which is a full-scale quintet (3 movements, 33 minutes).
Thanks for all these suggestions. Again, very helpful.
Quite unsung is Georges Martin Witkowski's quintet dated 1898...
Can you give us a flavour of Witkowski's Quintet, please?
Here are some audio samples of the Witkowski:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Witkowski-Quatuor-cordes-Quintette-piano/dp/B004G8Z3IQ/ref=dm_cd_album_lnk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Witkowski-Quatuor-cordes-Quintette-piano/dp/B004G8Z3IQ/ref=dm_cd_album_lnk)
Ah yes, the Witkowski. It's a very fine work in the Franckian mould, with moments of tempestuous drama contrasting with moments of sunny lyricism. The finale, marked alla zingara, is ecstatically thrilling. I'd very much like to hear Witkowski's two symphonies!
Also worthy of mention is the Piano Quintet of Lucien Durosoir (1878-1955), a rather individual work characterized by contrasts of violent anger and delicate beauty. It can be found on this CD: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JIQECS/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_ufV5sb0FP3PTC (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JIQECS/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_ufV5sb0FP3PTC)
I also highly recommend the discs of Durosoir's string quartets and violin/piano music on the same label. It's strangely compelling stuff.
I listened to the Cra Piano Quintet on YouTube last evening. What a lovely piece and very much an impressionistic sound of his own. Love it.
Jerry
I'll sound a warning re. Durosoir - his music very individual, often quite ascetic and distinctly on the outer fringes of UC's remit. Seems he was a bit of a loner.