The Hill House Chamber Players have a noble mission of maintaining the musical traditions of the James J. Hill House in St. Paul, MN, where they perform numerous annual concerts. They are supported with fine instruments from the Schubert Club, one of the most long-standing musical organizations in the United States. This album of highly varied chamber works is filled with performances of equally varying quality. Opening with a weak performance of the little-heard Op. 67 Piano Quartet of Joaquin Turina, the ensembles prove ...
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The Hill House Chamber Players have a noble mission of maintaining the musical traditions of the James J. Hill House in St. Paul, MN, where they perform numerous annual concerts. They are supported with fine instruments from the Schubert Club, one of the most long-standing musical organizations in the United States. This album of highly varied chamber works is filled with performances of equally varying quality. Opening with a weak performance of the little-heard Op. 67 Piano Quartet of Joaquin Turina, the ensembles prove once again that impressive individual musical pedigrees do not guarantee a strong chamber music performance. Intonation here is extremely problematic and individual members seem to have difficulty playing together rhythmically. The situation improves as the size of the ensemble diminishes for Jeffrey Van's Triptych for violin and guitar; intonation here is quite solid and the intricate dialogue between the two instruments is tight and cohesive. The opening of Britten's Phantasy...
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