Alfred Schnittke: Klavierquintett; Shostakovich: Streichquartett Nr. 15, Op. 144

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Schnittke's Piano Quintet, a creative response to his mother's death, is an austere, haunting work full of grief and tenderness that marks one of his early ventures into polystylistic writing. The opening piano solo is unique, a spare statement of puzzlement in the face of tragedy. It gives way to a waltz, as if recapturing a lost past, then the graceful dance melody literally disintegrates as the strings venture off into other regions, vainly trying to reassemble the theme and failing. At the end of its touching five movements the music's despair is transformed into serene, hard-won acceptance. Shostakovitch's 15th Quartet, his final statement in that form, premiered just months before his death. It's six slow movements are shot through with contemplative sadness and regret. The music is so rich in texture and substance that attention never flags. Performances of both works could hardly be bettered; Lubimov is an outstanding exponent of modern music (as well as traditional repertory) and he's superb here, as are the Kellers, whose intensity in both works is sustained made the more impactful by ECM's life-like sound. --Dan Davis

Amazon.com

Schnittke's Piano Quintet, a creative response to his mother's death, is an austere, haunting work full of grief and tenderness that marks one of his early ventures into polystylistic writing. The opening piano solo is unique, a spare statement of puzzlement in the face of tragedy. It gives way to a waltz, as if recapturing a lost past, then the graceful dance melody literally disintegrates as the strings venture off into other regions, vainly trying to reassemble the theme and failing. At the end of its touching five movements the music's despair is transformed into serene, hard-won acceptance. Shostakovitch's 15th Quartet, his final statement in that form, premiered just months before his death. It's six slow movements are shot through with contemplative sadness and regret. The music is so rich in texture and substance that attention never flags. Performances of both works could hardly be bettered; Lubimov is an outstanding exponent of modern music (as well as traditional repertory) and he's superb here, as are the Kellers, whose intensity in both works is sustained made the more impactful by ECM's life-like sound. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Masterful new recordings of two 20th century masterpieces.......2004-08-15

Under the blue title in this interesting CD by the wonderful label Ecm wroth Lento, which means slowly. Two chamber pieces fill up this CD by two Russian Composers, Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998) and Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975). The first piece, Piano Quintet is a very personal work by Schnittke. It is dark music, not an easy one, which will need to hear couple of times before understanding its full impact. Also given here a masterful performance by the Keller Quartet. The playing is solid and build up with tensions. The next piece is accurse by the great Russian Dmitri Shostakovich. So here we have his last chamber work, the String Quartet No. 15 which like Schinttke work is not an easy one. The composer worth it very closely to his death, almost without the ability to write it in his own hands. The long first movement, Elegie, is for me one of Shostakovich most spiritual music. The next movements are full of fear and shocks, maybe from death, and they lead to an enigmatic last movement. Here also the Keller Quartet gives a powerful playing. The Ecm production is also great. With detailed notes and well balanced clear sound, making those performances a top choice for those seeking alternative recordings of masterpiece chambers works of the 20th century.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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