Very underappreciated
Stephanie Zuercher | Berea, OH USA | 07/31/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'd never heard of these pieces before buying the disk (on a whim) and I was very pleasantly surprised. The two quintets here are rarely played and this seems to be the only recording of the two of them (paired, at least). They do make an excellent pairing: the Elgar vaguely Romantic and rather reminiscent of more the Enigma Variations than his Cello Concerto, and the Bridge more modern and more impressionistic. Both composers are English, but this gives you a good idea of the diversity of early twentieth-century music. The performance is exquisite and the recording is crystal-clear. While neither piece is the masterwork of the composer, they have been very unduly neglected and this recording does much to rectify the situation."
A lovely CD
Stephanie Zuercher | 08/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Both works are melodious and beautiful, clearly influenced by the Brahms quintet. The first movement of the Bridge is so passionate, I can't get it out of my head. Very heartfelt performances, as well."