The two works on this album haven't been played anywhere for decades; even the composers, Frédéric d'Erlanger and Thomas Dunhill, are largely forgotten, although there are signs of a revival for the latter. The two piano quintets were composed in the first years of the 20th century; they would have been conservative in 1870. Dunhill hated Vaughan Williams for being too modern, just to give listeners an idea. This said, they're attractive works that succeed especially in the inner movements. The outer ones tend toward ...
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The two works on this album haven't been played anywhere for decades; even the composers, Frédéric d'Erlanger and Thomas Dunhill, are largely forgotten, although there are signs of a revival for the latter. The two piano quintets were composed in the first years of the 20th century; they would have been conservative in 1870. Dunhill hated Vaughan Williams for being too modern, just to give listeners an idea. This said, they're attractive works that succeed especially in the inner movements. The outer ones tend toward Brahmsian exercises, but listen to the delicately lyrical Andante of d'Erlanger's quintet, or the vigorous Scherzo of Dunhill, who, one learns, was called "companionable, healthy, and as English as the South Downs on a sunny day." This is not a bad thing, and especially with excellent Potton Hall sound, the fine Goldner String Quartet makes a strong case for rescuing these works from the historical scrap heap. They make for an easy hour of listening, at the very least. ~ James Manheim, Rovi
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