Martin Roscoe & Brodsky Quartet - Elgar: String Quartet in E Minor & Piano Quintet in A Minor (2019) [24/96]

The three great chamber works, the String Quartet, Piano Quintet, and Violin Sonata, were among the very last works that Elgar wrote, composed during an intensive and productive period in 1918 and 1919 whilst living at Brinkwells in Sussex, and under the twin shadows of the horrors of the Great War and the terminal illness of his wife, Alice.

The String Quartet was dedicated to the original Brodsky Quartet (the name subsequently taken by the current group when they arrived as students at the Royal Northern College of Music) and was championed by this new Brodsky Quartet from the off, sitting alongside Delius’s Quartet on their debut recording (1984). It has remained a cornerstone of their repertoire ever since.

The Brodsky Quartet took the opportunity of the centenary year of both works to perform the String Quartet alongside the Piano Quintet with their frequent co-performer Martin Roscoe, and this recording is a result of that commemoration.

“… They play the work [Quartet] very sensitively …” (Andrew Clements, The Guardian)

“…I do urge you to hear these fine performances, which are, as always, with Chandos (about to celebrate their 40th Anniversary) exceptionally well recorded, and very well played by all concerned.” (David Mellor, ClassicFM)

Tracklist:
1. String Quartet in E Minor, Op. 83: I. Allegro moderato 09:17
2. String Quartet in E Minor, Op. 83: II. Piacevole. Poco andante 10:48
3. String Quartet in E Minor, Op. 83: III. Finale. Allegro molto 09:04
4. Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op. 84: I. Moderato - Allegro 13:46
5. Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op. 84: II. Adagio 13:01
6. Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op. 84: III. Andante - Allegro 10:40

Personnel:
Martin Roscoe, piano
Brodsky Quartet