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Anton Arensky: Chamber Music

Arensky / Brovtsyn / Sitkovetsky / Rysanov
Release Date: 10/09/2015 
Label:  Naxos   Catalog #: 8573317   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Anton Arensky
Performer:  Eldar Nebolsin,  Jens Peter Maintz,  Maxim Rysanov,  Boris Brovtsyn,   ... 
Conductor:  Frank S. Dodge
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Spectrum Concerts Berlin
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 1 Hours 20 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

Anton Arensky belonged to the generation between Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, his early flair leading Tolstoy to state that, “among the new composers he is the best, he is simple and melodious.” Lacking a Russian tradition for the genre, Arensky’s Piano Quintet draws on Brahms and Mendelssohn for its sweeping themes and sparkling wit. The Second String Quartet was written in memory of Tchaikovsky and is a tender, elegiac work unusual in its scoring with two cellos. Dedicated to his cellist friend Karl Davidoff, the First Piano Trio is also a wonderfully heartfelt and virtuosic masterpiece. - Naxos Anton Arensky belonged to the generation between Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, his early flair leading Tolstoy to state that, “among the new composers he is the best, he is simple and melodious.” Lacking a Russian tradition for the genre, Arensky’s Piano Quintet draws on Brahms and Mendelssohn for its sweeping themes and sparkling wit. The Second String Quartet was written in memory of Tchaikovsky and is a tender, elegiac work unusual in its scoring with two cellos. Dedicated to his cellist friend Karl Davidoff, the First Piano Trio is also a wonderfully heartfelt and virtuosic masterpiece. - Naxos Read less

Works on This Recording

1.
Quintet for Piano and Strings in D major, Op. 51 by Anton Arensky
Performer:  Eldar Nebolsin (Piano), Jens Peter Maintz (Cello), Maxim Rysanov (Viola),
Boris Brovtsyn (Violin), Alexander Sitkovetsky (Violin)
Conductor:  Frank S. Dodge
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Spectrum Concerts Berlin
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1900; Russia 
 Date of Recording: 04/25/2014 
Venue:  Live  Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal, Berlin, G 
Length: 23 Minutes 8 Secs. 
2.
Quartet for Strings no 2 in A minor, Op. 35 by Anton Arensky
Performer:  Jens Peter Maintz (Cello), Boris Brovtsyn (Violin), Boris Andrianov (Cello),
Maxim Rysanov (Viola)
Conductor:  Frank S. Dodge
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Spectrum Concerts Berlin
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1894; Russia 
 Date of Recording: 04/25/2014 
Venue:  Live  Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal, Berlin, G 
Length: 27 Minutes 46 Secs. 
3.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 1 in D minor, Op. 32 by Anton Arensky
Performer:  Eldar Nebolsin (Piano), Boris Brovtsyn (Violin), Boris Andrianov (Cello)
Conductor:  Frank S. Dodge
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Spectrum Concerts Berlin
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1894; Russia 
 Date of Recording: 04/25/2014 
Venue:  Live  Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal, Berlin, G 
Length: 26 Minutes 59 Secs. 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Outstanding Recording! April 23, 2016 By Henry S. (Springfield, VA) See All My Reviews "The very first bars of the opening work, Anton Arensky's D Major Piano Quintet, gives the listener clear notice that he/she is in for a real chamber music treat with this disk. Decidedly upbeat and dynamic, Arensky's Op. 51 almost sounds like it could have been written by Brahms, lofty company indeed. The second work is Arensky's String Quartet #2, a work of 3 movements and composed for a somewhat unusual string lineup of violin, viola, and 2 cellos (i.e., 2nd violin replaced by a 2nd cello). As a result, the coloration of the string ensemble's sound is (to my ears) slightly darker and mellow. Perhaps another factor explaining and justifying the generally subdued ambience of this quartet is Arensky's dedication of the work to the recently deceased Tchaikovsky, although the final movement explodes into a vigorous Russian folksong-derived chorale that offers stark contrast and fulfillment. Finally, the recording concludes with a brilliant, crystal clear performance of Arensky's powerful, majestic Piano Trio # 1. I'm doubtful that it is possible to overstate the impressive qualities of this new Naxos disk. Anton Arensky was a major late 19th century Russian composer whose works merit more frequent exposure, and to this end, the excellent Spectrum Concerts Berlin and Naxos have teamed up offer a chamber music program that would have the composer grinning from ear to ear. Great program, superbly performed, faultless audio qualities- in short, a recording of distinction. Highest recommendation!!" Report Abuse
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