COMPOSERS: Fuchs,Romberg,Stanford
LABELS: Hyperion Helios
WORKS: Quintet in E flat
PERFORMER: Thea King (clarinet); Britten String Quartet
CATALOGUE NO: CDH 55076 Reissue (1991)
Neglected masterpieces? Not quite, though Andreas Romberg’s undisguised homage to Mozart has something of the master’s charm (if not his depth and subtle inventiveness), as does the Brahms-saturated Quintet of Robert Fuchs; and Charles Stanford’s Two Fantasies are easygoing, tuneful and very likeable – especially the lilting, faintly folksy F major. These are diversions – divertimenti – in the best sense of the word. Play them soberly or mechanically and they wilt and die. Fortunately there’s plenty of lively, affectionate musicianship in these performances – all warmly and intimately recorded. Stephen Johnson
Romberg, Fuchs, Stanford
Neglected masterpieces? Not quite, though Andreas Romberg’s undisguised homage to Mozart has something of the master’s charm (if not his depth and subtle inventiveness), as does the Brahms-saturated Quintet of Robert Fuchs; and Charles Stanford’s Two Fantasies are easygoing, tuneful and very likeable – especially the lilting, faintly folksy F major. These are diversions – divertimenti – in the best sense of the word. Play them soberly or mechanically and they wilt and die.
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 1:17 pm