Notes and Editorial Reviews
More cool stuff from Australia! The Queensland seaside city of Townsville deserves a lot of credit for sponsoring both the 1999 Australian Festival of Chamber Music and this recording, particularly as the artistic results certainly reveal a high level of talent on offer. Walter Piston's chamber output, not to mention the rest of his music, seems to be doing better Down Under than here in his native land, a national disgrace for which there is simply no excuse. The Flute Quintet in particular is a certified masterpiece of poised, mellifluous ensemble writing notable for the way in which Piston keeps all five players on an equal musical footing, steadfastly refusing to write a "concerto for flute and string quartet". The Piano Quintet has
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more bravura but no less melodic appeal, while the two late works, though tougher in fiber, are no less rewarding or expertly crafted. Both demonstrate that Piston's characteristic stylistic fingerprints--the lyrically expansive, moderately paced opening movements, lightning-quick scherzos, probing adagios, and rhythmically buoyant, "American-sounding" finales--were capable of endless development and permutation within the context of a personal, highly disciplined, but never static musical language. As noted above, the performances are all very fine, particularly the liquid flute playing of Olga Shylayeva, and it's interesting to see Naxos house conductor Theodore Kuchar among the violas. An important contribution to Piston's discography and American music in general. Buy two and give one to a friend.
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Quintet for Flute and Strings by Walter Piston
Performer:
Olga Shylayeva (Flute),
Randolph Kelly (Viola),
Carol Ou (Cello),
James Oliver Buswell (Violin),
Michele Walsh (Violin)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1942; USA
2.
Sextet for Strings by Walter Piston
Performer:
James Oliver Buswell (Violin),
Theodore Kuchar (Viola),
Randolph Kelly (Viola),
Judith Glyde (Cello),
Dimity Hall (Violin)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1964; USA
3.
Quintet for Piano and String Quartet by Walter Piston
Performer:
Anthony Gault (Violin),
Judith Glyde (Cello),
Ian Munro (Piano),
Theodore Kuchar (Viola),
James Oliver Buswell (Violin)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1949; USA
4.
Quartet for Piano and Strings by Walter Piston
Performer:
Randolph Kelly (Viola),
Michael Gurt (Piano),
James Oliver Buswell (Violin),
Carol Ou (Cello),
Dimity Hall (Violin),
Michele Walsh (Violin),
Anthony Gault (Violin),
Theodore Kuchar (Viola),
Judith Glyde (Cello)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1964; USA
Sound Samples
Quintet for Flute and String Quartet: Allegro moderato grazioso
Quintet for Flute and String Quartet: Andantino con espressione
Quintet for Flute and String Quartet: Vivace e leggero
Quintet for Flute and String Quartet: Allegro non troppo
String Sextet: Adagio espressivo
String Sextet: Leggerissimo e vivace assai
Piano Quartet: Leggero e scorrevole
Piano Quartet: Adagio sostenuto
Piano Quartet: Allegro vivo
Piano Quintet: Allegro comodo
Piano Quintet: Allegro vivo
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