Dvorak: String Quintet in G major, Op. 77 Berlin Philharmonic String Quintet

• Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904): String Quintet in G major, Op. 77, B. 49
• 1I. Allegro con fuoco - Piu mosso11:27
• 2II. Scherzo: Allegro vivace - Trio07:58
• 3III. Poco andante07:36
• 4IV. Finale: Allegro assai07:19
• Nocturne in B major, Op. 40, B. 47
• 5Nocturne in B major, Op. 40, B. 4706:12
• String Quintet in E flat major, Op. 97, B. 180
• 6II. Scherzo: Allegro vivo05:22
• Total Runtime45:54

Info for Dvorak: String Quintet in G major, Op. 77

The Berlin Philharmonic String Quintet has become one of the best ensembles in its field, gaining a world-wide reputation. Here they give a sublime interpretation of Dvořák’s String Quintet. It was recorded in the small hall of the Muziekgebouw in Eindhoven, which gives the ideal combination of intimacy and sonority for small string ensembles.

The G major Quintet was one of Dvorák’s earliest successes. Composed in 1875, the same year as his Fifth Symphony and E major Serenade for Strings, it shares many of their openhearted qualities; it was also prizewinner in a competition for new chamber music, the jury for which praised its technical and formal mastery.

While the Quintet’s form is certainly beyond reproach, it is the work’s melodic qualities and seemingly effortless handling of the instruments that first strikes the listener, particularly in the ravishing slow movement. The Nocturne for strings, also included on this recording, was originally conceived as a second slow movement for the Quintet. Based on the slow movement of Dvořák’s early E minor String Quartet, it was later detached and published separately. The Berlin Philharmonic Quintet performs superbly. The first movement has just the right sense of understatement, while they bring credible depth and vocal expressiveness to the slow movement. They develop an appropriately epic feeling in the finale, with its almost Sibelian first theme. The Scherzo is a little on the tame side, although the Trio has marvelous fluency. The remaining two works on this slender issue are also, for the most part, beautifully judged. Featuring excellent recorded sound, this disc is well worth investigating. (Jan Smaczny, Classical-music.com)

“The Berlin Philharmonic Quintet performs superbly. The first movement has just the right sense of understatement, while they bring credible depth and vocal expressiveness to the slow movement. They develop an appropriately epic feeling in the finale, with its almost Sibelian first theme...The remaining two works on this slender issue are also, for the most part, beautifully judged.” BBC Music Magazine)

Berlin Philharmonic String Quintet are:
Thomas Timm, 1st violin
Romano Tommasini, 2nd violin
Wolfgang Talirz, viola
Tatjana Vassiljewa, cello
Nabil Shehata, double bass

Berlin Philharmonic String Quintet
The Philharmonic String Quintet Berlin (PSB) is unique in its instrumentation: instead of enlarging the string quartet with an additional viola or cello, the ensemble is completed by adding a double bass. Here, all five string sections of the orchestra are represented. The ensemble thereby crosses the boundaries of a purely chamber music setting towards a formation with symphonic dimensions: “Based on our experience, the compositions gain tremendously in breadth of sound.”

The Philharmonic String Quintet Berlin emerged from the longstanding collaboration between Wolfgang Talirz and Romano Tommasini with the cellist Tatjana Vassiljeva. Their first concert was given in February 2007 in Belgium. With great success! Within a relatively short period of time it advanced to a popular ensemble, meanwhile guesting in the whole of Europe and Japan.

The Philharmonic String Quintet grew out of a long-standing collaboration between Wolfang Talirz on viola, Romano Tommasini on violin and the cellist Tatjana Vassiljewa. It gave its first concert in 2007 in Belgium to great acclaim. Within a relatively short time the ensemble has achieved wide recognition and has now appeared throughout Europe and Japan.

This album contains no booklet.