Schumann:
Piano Quintet op.44

Dvořák:
Piano Quintet no.2 op.81

Schumann’s Piano Quintet, composed in the autumn of 1842, was one of the earliest examples of the combination of piano with a string quartet – Boccherini, Dussek and Hummel had each produced one, and Schubert used the double bass in his ‘Trout’ Quintet. It instantly became one of Schumann’s most popular works. It was composed at a time of almost feverish industry – he composed his three string quartets op.41, the Piano Quartet and a set of Fantasy Pieces for piano trio, all in 1842. The piano quintet is a captivating, almost spontaneous work, and is a brilliant example of Schumann’s inspiration from start to finish.

Dvoˇrák’s op.81 piano quintet stems from his attempt to revise an earlier piano quintet in A major from 1872. Dissatisfied with this work, he set upon composing a new one – the result composed in September 1887 is one of his most lovable works. A relentlessly sunny work, sometimes sentimental, always masterful.

Jonathan Biss is one of the most exciting pianists of the younger generation, widely regarded for his artistry and deeply felt interpretations. The New York Times described him as playing with ‘unerring sophistication’. He is currently recording the complete Beethoven piano sonatas for ONYX. Volume 1 is out now, with Volume 2 to be released in January 2013.

The Elias String Quartet have quickly established themselves as one of the most intense and vibrant quartets of their generation. They perform around the world, collaborating with many different artists. The Quartet was formed in 1998 at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. The quartet have been chosen to participate in BBC Radio 3’s prestigious New Generation Artists’ scheme and are the recipients of a 2010 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award. In April 2010, their disc of Mendelssohn, Mozart and Schubert on the Wigmore Hall Live label was given the BBC Music Magazine Newcomer Award.