Brahms, Fauré & Schnittke: Piano Quartets Berlin Piano Quartet

• 1 I. Allegro molto moderato 09:41
• 2 II. Scherzo. Allegro vivo - Trio 05:47
• 3 III. Adagio 07:18
• 4 IV. Finale. Allegro molto 08:34
• 5 Piano Quartet in A Minor: I. Allegro 06:44
• 6 I. Allegro 13:37
• 7 II. Intermezzo. Allegro ma non troppo - Trio animato 07:54
• 8 III. Andante con moto 09:47
• 9 IV. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto 08:35
• Total Runtime 01:17:57

Info for Brahms, Fauré & Schnittke: Piano Quartets

Featuring the members of the Berlin Piano Quartet, strings from the world-renowned Berliner Philharmoniker and the French pianist Kim Barbier, this first album by the Berlin Piano Quartet on Sony Classical brings together works by Brahms, Fauré, and Schnittke. Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, op. 15 begins with a grand gesture. The piece was premiered on 14 February 1880 at a concert of the Société National de Musique, established to promote French orchestral and chamber music works. With irresistible momentum, it comes to an end in a rhythmically agile Finale, textured by juxtaposing triplets (predominantly in the piano) against punctuated rhythms in the strings.

Berlin Piano Quartet:
Christophe Horak, violin
Micha Afkham, viola
Bruno Delepelaire, violoncello
Kim Barbier, piano

Berlin Piano Quartet
The members of the Berlin Piano Quartet, three strings from the Berliner Philharmoniker and the French pianist Kim Barbier, were brought together by one thing in particular: A desire to develop the relatively rarely played repertoire for piano quartet. In addition to the well-known compositions by Mozart, Brahms and Schumann – reference works of this genre – , the stated objective of the Berlin Piano Quartet is to make its audience familiar with less well-known works for this formation, such as the works of Alfred Schnittke and Frank Bridge.

The interpretations of the Berlin Piano Quartet are inspired by the orchestral experience with the Berliner Philharmoniker. The musicians take great care to look at the works of the repertoire from a new, unusual perspective. Experimental zest, the search for that special moment, and encounters with great musicians, conductors and composers of our time have a far-reaching influence on the music-making of this ensemble.

Booklet for Brahms, Fauré & Schnittke: Piano Quartets