MIECZYSLAW WEINBERG (1919-1996): Piano Quintet, Op. 18, DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975): Piano Quintet, Op. 57.
Catalogue Number: 04M071
Label: Hännsler Classic
Reference: CD 93.260
Format: CD
Price: $18.98
Description: Weinberg's big, five-movement, 44-minute quintet from 1944 "opens with a warmly lyrical melody soon tempered by dissonance and angst. Weinberg is playfully satirical where Shostakovich might have been bitterly sardonic. The intense Allegretto offers by turns dense, wild climaxes; spare, staccato textures; and gentle lyricism. The ensuing Presto sounds like café music spun through a carnival funhouse. An introspective Largo leads to the spiky, driven Allegro agitato, with a jagged folk dance and earlier thematic material winding through it." (From a Toronto Sun review.) Szymanowski Quartet, Matthias Kirschnereit (piano).