Arensky String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 - Piano Quintet Ying Quartet

• 1 I. Allegro 07:44
• 2 II. Andante sostenuto 05:18
• 3 III. Menuetto Allegretto 03:10
• 4 IV. Finale (Variations sur un theme russe) Allegro non troppo 04:41
• 5 I. Moderato 11:07
• 6 II. Theme Moderato 01:10
• 7 II. Variation 1 Un poco piu mosso 01:23
• 8 II. Variation 2 Allegro non troppo 01:02
• 9 II. Variation 3 Andantino tranquillo 01:10
• 10 II. Variation 4 Vivace 01:27
• 11 II. Variation 5 Andante 02:10
• 12 II. Variation 6 Allegro con spirito 01:14
• 13 II. Variation 7 Andante con moto 01:21
• 14 II. Coda Moderato 01:47
• 15 III. Finale Andante sostenuto - Allegro moderato 04:44
• 16 I. Allegro moderato 07:33
• 17 II. Variations Andante - Tempo di valse - Allegro molto - Tempo I 07:18
• 18 III. Scherzo Allegro vivace 08:46
• 19 IV. Finale (Fuga) Allegro moderato 03:51
• Total Runtime 01:16:56

Info for Arensky String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 - Piano Quintet

Sono Luminus is proud to be a part of the Ying Quartet’s commitment to expanding the rich string quartet repertoire with their latest release, Anton Arensky.

Chamber music fans may be familiar with Arensky’s beautiful and exciting “Piano Trio No. 1”. Arensky’s chamber music writing shows off some of his greatest strengths as a composer, and throughout his trios, quartets and quintet, his music is consistently lyrical, expressive, rich, and often brilliant. Because of Arensky’s close relationship with Tchaikovsky, the release makes an intriguing follow-up to the Ying Quartet’s earlier GRAMMY®-nominated record, Tchaikovsky: Three String Quartets And “Souvenir de Florence” Sextet In D Minor.

Arensky actually composed two versions of his “String Quartet No. 2”. One of them is scored for traditional string quartet, and the other is scored for violin, viola and 2 cellos. The musical material in both versions is identical, but by examining the different compositional solutions Arensky arrived at for each ensemble, one can appreciate all the more his imagination for color and the facility of his writing. In the two-cello version, Arensky takes full advantage of the additional depth and fullness possible with two bass instruments; the opening of the Quartet sounds especially rich like low voices chanting together. On the other hand, the paired violins of traditional quartet instrumentation allow many of the lyrical passages to soar and sing out in a higher range. The string quartet version of the Second Quartet is represented on this record, of course, and is in fact the less frequently performed version.

For the “Piano Quintet in D Major Op. 51”, Arensky makes full use of the increased resonance, volume, and virtuosic possibilities of adding a piano to the string quartet. This is full-blooded, passionate, and singing music that perfectly captures the spirit of Russian music of the second half of the 19th century. Ying Quartet revels in the way Arensky writes uncomplicated sweeps of emotion that arrest a listener from the first notes of the Quintet to the reprise of the same music 25 minutes later that closes the work as warmly and triumphantly as it opens. In between, there are moments of great subtlety and detail, from the expressive range of the theme and variations slow movement to the bustling scherzo. The Quartet is joined by their colleague and friend, Adam Neiman, who himself has recently made a recorded exploration of Arensky’s solo piano works.

The Ying Quartet occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music genre, combining brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. Now in its second decade as a quartet, the Quartet has established itself as an ensemble of the highest musical qualifications in its tours across the United States and abroad. This recording of Anton Arensky is the sophomore release from Ying Quartet on the Sono Luminus label following their previous release, Ying Quartet Plays LifeMusic III (DSL92114).

“The Ying Quartet play beautifully and freely, capturing Arensky's more introspective lyric charms and his tenderest sentiments. Unless you want to hear the alternative version of the Second Quartet featuring two cellos, you won't be disappointed by the suitably dark timbes engaged for its orthodox-style chants here; all colours are naturally captured in the Sono Luminus venue.” (BBC Music Magazine)

Ying Quartet

The Ying Quartet
occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world. They combine brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. Now in their second decade as a quartet, the Yings have established themselves as an ensemble of the highest musical qualifications in their tours across the United States and abroad. Their performances regularly take place in many of the world’s most important concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. At the same time, the Quartet’s belief that concert music can also be a meaningful part of everyday life has also drawn them to perform in settings as diverse as the workplace, schools, juvenile prisons and the White House. In fact the Ying Quartet’s constant quest to explore the creative possibilities of the string quartet has led them to an unusually diverse array of musical projects and interests.

Booklet for Arensky String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 - Piano Quintet