Josef Suk - Piano Quintet, Op. 8 (1893, rev. 1915)

Josef Suk

 

Josef Suk, early 1900s

(4 January 1874 – 29 May 1935)

was a Czech composer and violinist. He studied under Antonín Dvořák, whose daughter he married.

- Piano Quintet, Op. 8 (1893, rev. 1915)

Dedication: Johannes Brahms

1. Allegro energico (0:00)
2. Adagio religioso (8:34)
3. Scherzo. Presto (15:59)
4. Finale. Allegro con fuoco (21:51)

Pavel Štefan, piano and Suk Quartet

 

From Edition Silvertrust

 

Suk's Piano Quintet was composed in 1893 and was intended to allow the famous Bohemian Quartet, of which he was a member, to expand their repertoire to include Czech works with piano. Though the Quintet was widely praised, Suk himself was not entirely satisfied with it and revised it in 1915. It is a big work, certainly deserving to be in the standard repertoire for this ensemble.

The opening movement, Allegro energico, bursts forth in energetic fashion with vigorous motion in all of the voices, as the viola and cello soar high above. Although there are moments of repose, the movement is mostly highly charged and full of forward motion. The second movement, Adagio religioso, begins with a heavenly, ethereal, ave-maria-like chorale in the strings over the soft arpeggios in the piano, but then builds to a powerful dramatic climax. The third movement is a wonderfully fleet, Scherzo, based on a pentatonic theme, characteristic of Bohemian melody. The Bohemian dance rhythm of main theme of the finale, Allegro con fuoco, is as important as the actual melody. The movement is by turns fiery and lyrical.