Stanford Piano Quintet Pure Romantic Goodness

Charles Villiers Stanford and Charles Hubert Parry share the honor of leading the Second English Renaissance. That was the term given to the resurgence of British classical music in the late 19th Century. Or rather, the resurgence of that music beyond the confines of the British Isles.

Stanford was an admirer of Brahms. That admiration influenced much of Stanford's compositions -- especially in the shape of the movements and the development of motifs.

But Stanford was also Irish, and his melodies are devoid of Germanic heaviness. Rather, even at their most serious, there seems to be a lilt to them.

That's also a good description of the Piano Quintet in D minor, presented here. Stanford composed the piece in 1887. The gestures are Brahmsian, but the material is all Stanford.

Also included in this release are two fantasies that Stanford wrote just two years before his death in 1924. One is for horn and string quartet, the other for clarinet and string quartet. By this time, his music was considered old-fashioned.

Personally, I found the works to be much further advanced than the quintet. Yes, the works are tonal, but the resemblance to Brahms' works is almost non-existent. Rather, this is Stanford unfiltered, using the language he was most comfortable with.

The Members of the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchestra Berlin do this music justice. This is chamber music playing at its best. I was especially taken with the artistry of Daniel Ember. His horn had a warm, golden tone that was simply a pleasure to listen to.

Charles Villiers Stanford: Piano Quintet; Fantasies for Clarinet and Horn
Members of the Runfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin
Capriccio C5381