Gabriel Faure: Piano Quartets No.1 & 2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There are three great chamber music composers from the second half of the 19th century: Brahms, Dvorák, and Fauré. Of the three, Fauré is by far the least well known, even in France. French music in the 19th century was almost entirely centered on opera and ballet, and while Fauré did make at least one contribution to the operatic stage (Penelope), he was far more involved in composing chamber music and songs. The two piano quartets are both extremely fine works, beautifully crafted, and full of warmly Romantic melody. This disc was one of the first by non-French performers to make the case for Fauré as a truly great composer of chamber music, and it still sounds very impressive. --David Hurwitz

Gabriel Faure: Piano Quartets No.1 & 2, Music, Timothy Hugh, Gabriel Faure, Domus, Susan Tomes, Robin Ireland, Krysia Osostowicz, Chamber, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Quartet for Keyboard and Three String Instruments

Fauré: Piano Quartets
Average customer rating:

Making the best case possible for Faure's music

can't be played on computers

Intriguing pieces, very well done

FINESSING FAURE

Another Classic Quartet

Fauré: Piano Quartets

Manufacturer: Sony
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Binding: Audio CD

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Franck - Sonata for violin and piano · Debussy - Sonatas · Ravel - Introduction and Allegro / Chung · Lupu · Ellis · Melos Ensemble

ASIN: B0000027U7
Release Date: 1993-01-12

Tracks:

Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 15: I. Allegro molto moderato
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 15: II. Scherzo. Allegro vivo
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 15: III. Adagio
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 15: IV. Allegro molto
I. Allegro molto moderato
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 45: II. Scherzo. Allegro molto
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 45: III. Adagio non troppo
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 45: IV. Allegro molto

Customer Reviews:

Making the best case possible for Faure's music.......2007-02-24

I can only add a few personal comments to Mr. Sobel's intelligent and perceptive review. These are, as he says, glorious performances, and if you buy the 'expanded edition,' you get a mesmerizing transcription for Yo-Yo Ma of Massenet's Meditation from Thais for violin (a moldy chestnut, but Ma plays it as if it's genius). Faure's chamber music is written in his own private harmony, relying a great deal on parallel chords; his melodic inspiraiton is uneven and often tepid; his idiom can be cloying, like taffeta and whipped cream, made bitter with melancholy-- an uneasy mix.

Therefore, it's quite difficult to pull off either of his two Piano Quartets; there's not enough variety from begining to end. Even so, the opening sonata movemens in both works are Schumannesque and carry the most passion and conviciton. The Scherzo of the second quartet is a lively tarentella-like dance, and the same work's finale is mostly strong and vigorous. That's four movements out of eighth that bring me lasting enjoyment (the droopy, somber slow movements are worth skipping unless you want a rainy day in your living room).

It was wise of Ax, Stern, Laredo, and Ma to emphasize the German side of this music, which if taken as too French (delicate, diaphanous, haunting) can seem spineless, a dream of sonata form instead of the real thing. It would be hard to imagine more persuasive accounts, in fact, and the recorded sound is fine.

can't be played on computers.......2007-02-16

No one could say a bad thing about these artists of course, but be warned that the CD cannot be played on computers (or at least on my two Dell laptops).

Intriguing pieces, very well done.......2004-05-21

To call these works by Faure mood pieces would be as apt a description as any. The later opus 45 Quartet is the more popular as well as the more mature and somber work. Unlike its younger opus 15, it doesn't offer much of a lift for the spirits; but, I suppose, that was not the intent of its creator. Nevertheless, this solid group of artists gives sensitive and extremely well played performances of both works. I find the earlier quartet especially satisfying. Each of its four movements is quite attractive. The first is fairly intense and rhapsodic. The second (scherzo) is reminiscent of sound track music for a Charlie Chaplin movie, however, lest one consider this sacrilege and take umbrage, I will assert it is somewhat more sophisticatedly charming. Here, pianist Ax displays a very pleasant litheness and is nicely accompanied by his stringed partners. The adagio has a tinge of sadness, but the group underscores beautifully its poignant qualities. In the final movement, the quartet is warmly attuned to the mixture of colorful, freely flowing sentiment. Sound quality is very satisfying.

FINESSING FAURE.......2001-11-09

Gabriel Faure (1845-1924) inhabits a "sound world" uniquely his own: moody, harmonically complex, sometimes neurotically so, melodically elusive. Less readily accessible than either of his French contemporaries, Debussy and Ravel, Faure's chamber music, nonetheless, is infinitely rewarding and certainly should be more widely recorded and available.

This remarkably rich offering of Faure's only two piano quartets (in C Minor, Op. 15 and G Minor, Op. 45) will, no doubt, go a long way in re-energizing interest in this coupling of the composer's most "popular" ensemble works. The reason is obvious: Ax, Stern, Ma, and Laredo. These musicians, glorious all, bring to Faure a warmth, freshness, depth, clarity and affection I've never heard in any other interpretation. Rather than dwelling on the somber, often disturbing musical elements Faure can manifest, these remarkable performers infuse the music with a robust charm, full-blooded emotional intensity and a delicious sense of pluck that is irresistibly impish--- all seeming easily and spontaneously generated.

Accessible is a word that is critical here. All too often, and Faure is no exception, it is the performance that can make or break a composition, especially on initial hearing. Faure needs finessing, understanding, simpatico; otherwise, his chamber compositions can sound a tad oppressive. Musicians, like these, who reach into the very core of Faure and retrieve the penultimate glories of his searching, timeless Adagios, who can transform opening Allegros into masterpieces unto themselves, and whose playing radiates the subtle, naive delight imbued in the Scherzos, are the kind of incredible artists who enable Faure to have his say and to become readily and beautifully accessible.

Violinist Stern and violist Laredo meld effortlessly, yet elucidate Faure's complex writing sublimely, while Ma's cello is always supportive, never intrusive, and pianist Ax, superb throughout, keeps apace of every mood, every shift in design, every nuance--- and never center-stages himself. The integration of this ensemble, particularly in these Faure piano quartets, is a miracle to hear, their playing raising these works to near pinnacle height; yet, at the very same time, keeping Faure entirely approachable. The recording itself, too, is a revelation: warm, full, detailed and thrillingly realistic. The "presence" of these musicians is immediate.

[Running time: 66:54]

Another Classic Quartet.......2001-01-02

Virtuosos Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Isaac Stern and Jamie Laredo have once again struck chamber gold. The group responsible for classic discs of piano quartet music by Beethoven/Schumann, Brahms, Dvorak and Mozart (see my reviews of the latter two) have recorded another gem with this album. Coming from a jazz background, I can only compare these men's musical understanding and familiarity to that of the classic Coltrane Quartet. As far as the compositions go, Faure's two piano quartets were written in the 1880s, and they are hauntingly beautiful, and surprisingly dense and layered. While Faure is not as well known as the five classical composers mentioned above, this disc should do a lot to remedy that problem.

The Most Relaxing Flute Album in the World...Ever!

Average customer rating:

Sweet Lilting Flute Music to Unwind With

The Most Relaxing Flute Album in the World...Ever!

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000AXWGYU
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

Flute Concerto No. 1 in G, K.313 - II Adagio - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto in G, Op. 10 No. 4 - II Largo - Antonio Vivaldi
Gymnope No. 1 - Erik Satie
Sonata in C (after Hob.III.72) - Andantino - Franz Joseph Haydn
Sicilienne, Op. 78 - Gabriel Faur
Flute Quartet No. 2 in G, K. 285a - I Andante - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto in F, Op. 10 No. 5 - II Largo e cantabile - Antonio Vivaldi
Romance - Arthur Honegger
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067 - III Sarabande - Johann Sebastian Bach
Beau Soir - Claude Debussy
Sonata for Two Flutes in B Minor, Op. 2 No. 4 - I Largo - Georg Philipp Telemann
Sonata for Two Flutes in B Minor, Op. 2 No. 4 - II Grazioso - Georg Philipp Telemann
Flute Concerto No. 2 in D, K.314 - II Andante ma non troppo - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonata for Flute & Continuo in E Minor, BWV 1034 - III Andante - Johann Sebastian Bach
Gymnope No. 2 - Erik Satie

Tracks:

Concerto in D, Op. 10 No. 3 Il Cardellino - II Cantabile - Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto for Flute & Orchestra in D - II Adagio - attr. Franz Joseph Haydn
Flute Quartet No. 3 in C, K. 285b - II Andantino con variazioni: Variation 5 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto in G for Flute & Strings - II Adagio - Georg Philipp Telemann
Arabesque No. 1 in E - Claude Debussy
Concerto Secondo in D (Paris Quartets) - II Affettuoso - Georg Philipp Telemann
Berceuse (from Dolly Suite) - Gabriel Faur
Mtation (from Tha) - Jules Massenet
Concerto in D, RV 429 - II Largo - Antonio Vivaldi
En bateau (from Petite Suite) - Claude Debussy
Andante in C, K.315 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Partita in A Minor for Solo Flute, BWV 1013 - III Sarabande - Johann Sebastian Bach
Morceau de concours - Gabriel Faur
Concerto for Flute & Harp in C, K.299 - II Andantino - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Aria - Jacques Ibert
Paris Quartet No. 4 in B Minor - V Triste - Georg Philipp Telemann
Syrinx for Solo Flute - Claude Debussy

Customer Reviews:

Sweet Lilting Flute Music to Unwind With.......2006-01-10

Crisp and clean and seductively laid back is this nice collection of 31 pieces from the composer likes of Haydn, Mozart, Bach, Debussy, Telemann, et al, performed by the greatest flutists in the world such as Bennett, Galway, and Rampal.

Especially enjoying the Concerto in G by Vivaldi with harpsichord.

Average customer rating:

Award-Winning Performances
great recording
HEART AND SOUL
Treat yourself. From G. A. Monroe,
Brilliant Faure

Gabriel Faure: Piano Quartets No.1 & 2

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002ZI8
Release Date: 1993-03-04

Tracks:

Piano Quartet No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 15: Allegro molto moderato
Piano Quartet No. 1 In C Minor Op. 15: Scherzo (Allegro vivo)
Piano Quartet No. 1 In C Minor Op. 15: Adagio
Piano Quartet No. 1 In C Minor Op. 15: Allegro molto
Piano Quartet No. 2 In G Minor Op. 45: Allegro molto moderato
Piano Quartet No. 2 In G Minor Op. 45: Allegro molto
Piano Quartet No. 2 In G Minor Op. 45: Adagio non troppo
Piano Quartet No. 2 In G Minor Op. 45: Allegro molto

Amazon.com

There are three great chamber music composers from the second half of the 19th century: Brahms, Dvorák, and Fauré. Of the three, Fauré is by far the least well known, even in France. French music in the 19th century was almost entirely centered on opera and ballet, and while Fauré did make at least one contribution to the operatic stage (Penelope), he was far more involved in composing chamber music and songs. The two piano quartets are both extremely fine works, beautifully crafted, and full of warmly Romantic melody. This disc was one of the first by non-French performers to make the case for Fauré as a truly great composer of chamber music, and it still sounds very impressive. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Award-Winning Performances.......2006-02-14

Just a short addition to the other fine reviews here: This recording by the UK ensemble Domus - along with the matching one of the Piano Quintets - was lavishly decorated by the British music press with many awards. Penguin gave both their coveted "Rosette" rating along with a "Recommended Recording" citing while Gramophone richly rewarded both CD's with the top "Gramophone Award" for chamber music that year. When these two major reviewers agree like that, one can be assured something special is there which is the case with this CD. Faure is something of a neglected French Romantic composer hiding in the shadows of Debussy, Ravel and others. Yet, his music is some of the most equisite, beautiful and rewarding - from the Violin Sonatas (Tomes/Osostowicz) to the Piano Trio (Floristan Trio w/Tomes) to the Piano Quartets here. All are worth hearing and exploring if you like chamber or French Romantic music.

great recording.......2005-09-30

Like on their recordings of his quintets Domus does a beautiful job here. These two pieces are from earlier in Faure's life than the quintets and so are simpler and perhaps more easily approached. The piano writing is great and beautifully played by Tomes. Strongly recomended to fans of romantic era chamber music and to fans of western art music more generally. The recording quality is up to the excellent standards of Hyperion.

HEART AND SOUL.......2004-02-02

This pair of performances won a Gramophone award a few years back. I also feel considerable enthusiasm for it, whether for the same reasons as the Gramophone judges I now can't remember.

Despite that award, this disc is attracting surprisingly little comment nowadays. The quartets seem absolutely marvellous music to me, but one of the practical barriers to a wider audience for them is probably that Faure's music is a frustrating combination of technically difficult and not at all showy. He was one of the most subtle and original harmonists there has ever been (the second quartet being very notable in this respect), and certainly as far as the piano writing is concerned he keeps taking one's fingers where they are not expecting to go. These accounts are outstanding for their naturalness and spontaneity. They probably make the music sound a lot easier than it actually is, and that is no doubt the nub of the matter because any sense of effort or struggle would kill music like this. It is all very `professional' in its way, but by today's standards not especially refined. The pianist in particular, while very accurate, is - what am I trying to say? - no Michelangeli. I have only one life, and this record has enhanced it. I can imagine smoother, but whether that would be better in any sense I could recognise I simply do not know, and I simply do not care.

A certain amount of dutiful comment sometimes attends the first quartet relating it to the composer's failed engagement. All this, in my personal view, is best ignored. Faure's emotions were doubtless as strong as Wagner's for all I know. The real point in that comparison is that they represent, musically, opposite poles. Wagner thought, not unreasonably, that he was riding the tide of history in his commitment to music that was not `absolute' in the sense that Bach's music was that, but which bound itself to an underlying poetic or dramatic idea. He had every reason to believe this - other than Chopin no composer that I can think of since Bach's time was an undiluted `absolute' musician. Then there was, abruptly, Brahms. Anything but unemotional, anything but indifferent to women, Brahms simply revived a tradition that had not died and only slept. Whatever their personal emotions, Brahms and Faure express music purely, as Bach had done - they do not use music to express something else. Listen to this wonderful music just for itself.

Treat yourself. From G. A. Monroe,.......2001-10-16

Are you kidding? If music were fine wine, this disc would be the {insert name of your favorite $1,000 bottle here}. Really, this is some of the most civilized music ever performed. The quartets are masterpieces on several levels, and the performers are nimble, sensitive virtuosi and in my opinion the very best on record in this genre. As with Domus' other contributions (see especially their Dvorak on Hyperion and their Brahms on Virgin Classics), if you get to know this disc the pieces will haunt you, in a happy way, from year to year. A desert-island disc if ever there was one, and a cornerstone of any chamber music collection. (I seem to recall this disc won the Grammophone and probably some other awards in 1986 or '87.) Domus, please re-unite and do a concert tour!

Brilliant Faure.......2000-07-03

I was apprehensive at first, being used to the Collard-style of Faure piano. "Who is Susan Tomes?" I thought. Well, I now know she is a great pianist who fits perfectly among the "Domus Quartet". This is really nice music; amongst the best of Faure's work. And these musicians really do it superbly. Not just for fans of Faure, all music lovers will appreciate this. And the quality of the recording is excellent. There isn't much in the way of inside-sleeve notes, but it comes in three languages so those studying French or German will certainly get their money's worth.

Fauré: Piano Quartets Nos. 1 & 2, Opp. 15 & 45

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The music is forever elusive, the performances are great

Fauré: Piano Quartets Nos. 1 & 2, Opp. 15 & 45

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Customer Reviews:

The music is forever elusive, the performances are great.......2007-02-24

Average customer rating:

Fauré: The 2 Piano Quartets

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0006V5QC0
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

I. Allegro Molto Moderato
II. Scherzo (Allegro Vivo)
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro Molto
I. Allegro Molto Moderato
II. Allegro Molto
III. Adagio Non Troppo
IV. Allegro Molto

Gabriel Faure Piano Quartets & Piano Quintets

Average customer rating:

Gabriel Faure Piano Quartets & Piano Quintets

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Pno Qt in c, Op.15: Allegro Molto Moderato - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in c, Op.15: Scherzo: Allegro Vivo - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in c, Op.15: Adagio - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in c, Op.15: Allegro Molto - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in g, Op.45: Allegro Molto Moderato - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in g, Op.45: Allegro Molto - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in g, Op.45: Adagio Non Troppo - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in g, Op.45: Adagio Molto - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz

Tracks:

Pno Qt in d, Op.89: Molto Moderato - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Werner Neuhaus/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in d, Op.89: Adagio - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Werner Neuhaus/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in d, Op.89: Allegretto Moderato - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Werner Neuhaus/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in c, Op.115: Allegro Moderato - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Werner Neuhaus/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in c, Op.115: Allegro Vivo - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Werner Neuhaus/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in c, Op.115: Andante Moderato - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Werner Neuhaus/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz
Pno Qt in c, Op.115: Allegro Molto - Jacqueline Eymar/Gunter Keher/Werner Neuhaus/Erich Sichermann/Bernhard Braunholz

Faure: Piano Quartets, Op. 15 & Op. 45 / Scheuerer Piano Quartet

Average customer rating:

Faure: Piano Quartets, Op. 15 & Op. 45 / Scheuerer Piano Quartet
Gabriel Faure , Gertraud Scheuerer , Gundi Scheuerer , Severin Scheuerer , and Scheuerer Piano Quartet
Manufacturer: Koch Discover Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Allegro Molto Moderato
Scherzo, Allegro Vivo
Adagio
Allegro Molto
Allegro Molto Moderato
Allegro Molto
Adagio Non Troppo
Allegro Molto

Average customer rating:

Sublime ensemble playing

Fauré: The Two Piano Quartets

Manufacturer: Quicksilva Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00003XB6N
Release Date: 2000-02-22

Tracks:

Pno Qt No.1 in c, Op.15: First Movt: Allegro Molto Moderato
Pno Qt No.1 in c, Op.15: Second Movt: Scherzo (Allegro Vivo)
Pno Qt No.1 in c, Op.15: Third Movt: Adagio
Pno Qt No.1 in c, Op.15: Fourth Movt: Allegro Molto
Pno Qt No.2 in g, Op.45: First Movt: Allegro Molto Moderato
Pno Qt No.2 in g, Op.45: Second Movt: Allegro Molto
Pno Qt No.2 in g, Op.45: Third Movt: Adagio Non Troppo
Pno Qt No.2 in g, Op.45: Fourth Movt: Allegro Molto

Customer Reviews:

Sublime ensemble playing.......2003-08-22

This CD is a superb addition to the catalogue. The Schubert Ensemble give vital, passionate and fresh readings of these two great piano quartets, and at budget price, I would definitely put this recording at the top of my list.