Farrenc, Firsova, Bonis: Chamber Music

by Ensemble Louise Farrenc

Overview

The compositions of composers Louise Farrenc and Mel (Mélanie) Bonis are still in the early stages of rediscovery; the Piano Quintet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 30, of Farrenc and the Piano Quartet No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 69, of Bonis are not unknown but are not common either in concert or on recordings. Still rarer is the Piano Quartet, Op. 146, of composer Elena Firsova; it isn't claimed here as a world-recorded premiere, but it might be one. That work, on the edge between late Romantic and Modern, is ideally suited to the large musical spaces of the Markus-Sittikus-Saal in Hohenems, Austria. It is a good break between the two main attractions, although it could also have come at the end in chronological order; it can stand up to the music of the better-known French composers. Those both receive strong performances here. The Piano Quintet No. 1 of Farrenc dates from 1839 and is modeled in its instrumentation of piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass on a piano quintet by Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Farrenc's is the stronger work, energetic and bright but with deeper colors lurking underneath. It matches well with the finale by Bonis, seemingly marked especially in its tragic later movements by the composer's experiences retreating to a location kept secret to conceal her pregnancy and the birth of her illegitimate daughter. It is an impressive piece of personal late Romantic chamber music. Both these works get fine performances from the Ensemble Louise Farrenc, which might be matched or bettered in intonation by other group, but only rarely in enthusiasm. An essential find for fans and followers of music by women. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	06/06/2025
Label:	Cpo Records
UPC:	0761203562428

Tracks

1. Piano Quintet No. 1 in A minor Op. 30~Allegro
2. Piano Quintet No. 1 in A minor Op. 30~Adagio non troppo
3. Piano Quintet No. 1 in A minor Op. 30~Scherzo. Presto
4. Piano Quintet No. 1 in A minor Op. 30~Finale. Allegro
5. Piano Quartet Op. 146~Introduction. Misterioso
6. Piano Quartet Op. 146~Scherzo. Con moto
7. Piano Quartet Op. 146~Adagio
8. Piano Quartet No. 1 in B flat major Op. 69~Moderato
9. Piano Quartet No. 1 in B flat major Op. 69~Intermezzo. Allegretto tranquillo
10. Piano Quartet No. 1 in B flat major Op. 69~Andante
11. Piano Quartet No. 1 in B flat major Op. 69~Finale. Allegro ma non troppo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ensemble Louise Farrenc   Primary Artist,Ensemble

Technical Credits

Lothar Bruweleit   Design
Elena Firsova   Composer
Melanie Bonis   Composer
Lindsay Chalmers-Gerbracht   Liner Note Translation
Burkhard Schmilgun   Executive Producer
Louise Farrenc   Composer
Klaus Christa   Liner Notes
Heinrich Vogeler   Cover Art
Johann Guenther   Mixing,Recording Producer,Mastering,Engineer,Editing
Victor Marin   Photography
Leonie Wagner   Editing