The only piece on my Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival swing this year that I’ve performed before is Robert Schumann’s gorgeous Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 47. I think that it’s at least the equal of his famous Piano Quintet (also in E-flat major). Schumann had a chamber music banner year in 1842, when he wrote his three string quartets, his Piano Quintet, and the Piano Quartet. All are masterpieces, and a great challenge to bring off in performance. Schumann doesn’t make things easy for his performers. He tends to change moods very quickly, often mid-phrase, and even when you do get to play an entire phrase without interruption, it’s often irregular in its construction. You can’t go on autopilot with Schumann. But his rewards are great. The melodies in the Piano Quartet, in particular in the slow movement, are yearning and aching and gorgeous.
At Methow, I’ll be performing this work with Brittany Boulding, violin; Meeka Quan DiLorenzo, cello; and Ryan McEvoy McCullough, piano. I can’t wait!
Here’s a complete performance of the Quintet by Menachim Pressler (92 years young) and an all-star group of musicians. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/swxTfYlmBkA
One reply on “methow preview, part one”
Thank you for sharing this recording. The piano quartet I play with has been studying this piece for a little over a year now. We are finally on the Finale!