Piano Quintet No. 1 in D minor, Op. 89
Piano Quintet No. 2 in C minor, Op. 115

Exactly a year ago this month the Mozart Piano Quartet released a recording of the Piano Quartets by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924), of which I had praised the playing for its highly expressive forward momentum. The same holds true in this recording of the Piano Quintets in which the writing is not only constantly full of animation, but since these are more mature works, teeming with highly refined harmonic chromaticism as well. As a consequence, an inattentive listener could easily lose track of the narrative line as the music unfolds, but the members of the Mozart Piano Quartet instinctively emphasize the melodic vein as it leaps from instrument to instrument, without sacrificing the overall ensemble effect, even when the writing grows in harmonic intricacy and expressive complexity.

This time around the Quartet is equipped with a fifth wheel, and augmented in the role of the extra violin, by Régis Pasquier in the Op. 89, and Sachiko Segawa in the Op. 115. Segawa was a student of Pasquier, who in turn was a student of Zino Francescatti, with whom he had recorded for Deutsche Grammophon back in 1972, the Concerto for two violins by Johann Sebastian Bach. An outstanding recording that is still available today. Both teacher and student have performed on stages all over the world. They integrate seamlessly with the Quartet and, enhance and enrich the sonic tones and textures of the score.

There's an underlying restlessness and disquiet embedded deep within this chamber music, common to most composers as they age and unearth the deeper significance of music. These musicians' understanding and grasp of this is clearly revealed in their committed interpretation. A must for all chamber music enthusiasts!