Dvořák: Quartets and Songs My Mother Taught me Schubert Ensemble

• Antonín Dvořák (1841 - 1904): Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat, Op. 87, B. 162:
• 1 Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat, Op. 87, B. 162: I. Allegro con fuoco 08:40
• 2 Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat, Op. 87, B. 162: II. Lento 09:11
• 3 Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat, Op. 87, B. 162: III. Allegro moderato, grazioso 07:28
• 4 Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat, Op. 87, B. 162: IV. Finale. Allegro ma non troppo 09:25
• Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155:
• 5 Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155: I. Allegro, ma non tanto 13:58
• 6 Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155: II. Dumka. Andante con moto 13:31
• 7 Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155: III. Scherzo (Furiant). Molto vivace - Poco tranquillo - Tempo I 04:38
• 8 Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155: IV. Finale. Allegro 07:58
• Antonín Dvořák:
• 9 Dvořák: Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op. 55, B. 104 02:03
• Total Runtime 01:16:52

Info for Dvořák: Quartets and Songs My Mother Taught me

Founded in 1983, regularly giving more than sixty concerts a year, and having performed in over forty different countries, the Schubert Ensemble is firmly established as one of the world’s leading exponents of chamber music for piano and strings.

The Ensemble here performs Piano Quintet No. 2, which is arguably one of Dvorák’s greatest and most popular chamber pieces, thanks to its memorable melodies and sheer panache. The composer took great pride in his country, in his people, their character and cultural heritage, all of which is evident in this work. In the words of the late British Dvorák scholar John Clapham: ‘[it] probably epitomizes more completely the genuine Dvorák style in most of its facets than any other work of his. Laughter and tears, sorrow and gaiety, are found side by side, as well as many moods that lie between these two extremes. All are presented with consummate mastery, they are decked in a wide range of instrumental colouring, and through the whole sweeps the life-blood of vital rhythm.’

Dvorák wrote his Piano Quartet No. 2 at the persistent request of his publisher Simrock in Berlin, who had long recognised the sales potential of the composer’s music. He was not wrong; the work went on to become one of Dvorák’s most frequently played chamber works. Here, Dvorák revels in taking on both tranquil and stormy moods; the feeling of great joy present in the third movement pre-echoes the sunny disposition of his Symphony No. 8, which was to follow immediately after the Quartet.

The seven songs which make up the cycle Gypsy Songs were written in 1880 to texts by the Czech poet Adolf Heyduk. The fourth, ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me’, is the best known internationally of all Dvorák’s songs. The version heard here, for piano quartet, was arranged by the four core members of the Schubert Ensemble, and is a highly popular encore piece performed at many of its concerts.

“...The sound is full and full-frontal it suits these pertly articulated performances which are always on the qui vive for chances to sing and to dance. This is an unqualified delight.” (Peter Quantrill, Gramophone magazine)

“...This new Chandos release is a very fine one, sporting superior sound, as is customary for the company’s recordings, and the Schubert Ensembl turns in topflight playing and thoughtfully considered performances that steer clear of rhetorical flourishes and interpretative exaggeration” (Jerry Dubins, Fanfare)

Schubert Ensemble

The Schubert Ensemble
The Schubert Ensemble has established itself over 27 years as one of the world’s leading exponents of music for piano and strings. Regularly giving over 50 concerts a year, the Ensemble has performed in over 40 different countries. In 1998 the Ensemble’s contribution to British musical life was recognized by the Royal Philharmonic Society when it presented the group with the Best Chamber Ensemble Award, for which it was shortlisted again in 2010.

Musicians:
William Howard (Piano)
Simon Blendis (violin)
Jane Salmon (cello)
Douglas Paterson (viola)
Peter Buckoke (double bass)

Professor George Caird
Following study in London and Cambridge, George Caird pursued a freelance career as an oboist which included orchestral playing, chamber music and solo engagements. He has worked with many of London’s major orchestras including the London Philharmonic, BBC Symphony and City of London Sinfonia and particularly as a member of The Academy of St Martin in the Fields from 1984 to 1991. He has also been a member of a number of leading ensembles, notably as a founder-member of the Albion Ensemble and the George Caird Oboe Quartet.

George has toured for the British Council in China, the Far East, India, Egypt, Tunisia and Canada as well as performing in concerts and broadcasts in most European countries. He has recorded for Chandos, Nimbus, Hyperion, Meridian and Proudsound labels with solo and chamber music repertoire (see below).

George has been involved in many areas of music education: teaching, devising educational programmes, coaching chamber ensembles, conducting and coaching youth orchestras and teaching. He was appointed a professor of oboe at the Royal Academy of Music in 1984 where he became Head of Woodwind in 1987 and Head of Orchestral Studies in 1991. From 1993 to 2010, George was Principal of Birmingham Conservatoire and he remains closely associated with the Conservatoire's development.

George has sat on adjudication panels for BBC Young Musician of the Year, the Audi Junior Musician, the Shell-LSO Competition, the YCAT awards and the Chamber Music Competition for Schools.

Amongst his many other professional commitments (see below), George chaired the Learning and Skills Council Music Review for Birmingham and Solihull 2003/4 and was the President of the Incorporated Society of Musicians for 2004/5. George is also a founding member of the British Double Reed Society and a member of the Executive Committee of the International Double Reed Society, whose 2009 Conference will be hosted by the Conservatoire.

Booklet for Dvořák: Quartets and Songs My Mother Taught me